Lighting systems incorporating connections for signal and power transmission

ABSTRACT

In accordance with various embodiments, lighting systems features one or more inter-connectable light panels each having multiple light-emitting elements thereon. One or more of the light panels may feature one or more connectors, and associated conductors, for the transmission of power, communication signals, and/or control signals. One or more of the light panels may include sound-absorbing material therebelow and may define one or more apertures and/or cut-out regions that reveal the sound-absorbing material.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/923,258, filed Jul. 8, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/455,863, filed Jun. 28, 2019, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/446,494,filed Mar. 1, 2017, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/302,434, filed Mar. 2, 2016, theentire disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention generally relates toelectronic devices, and more specifically to array-based electronicdevices.

BACKGROUND

Solid-state lighting is an attractive alternative to incandescent andfluorescent lighting systems for backlighting of translucent panels ormaterials and signs because of its relatively higher efficiency,robustness, and long life. A number of backlighting systems based onlight-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been proposed, but these generallysuffer from one or more deficiencies. It is often desirable to have thethickness of the panel or sign as small as possible, for example to fitwithin a restricted space, to provide a thin visual perspective, or toreduce cost. Various LED systems generally include LEDs that areoperated at relatively high current, resulting in very bright lightsources that must be mixed and diffused to provide even and low-glareillumination of the panel or sign. For systems having LEDs spacedseveral inches or more apart, this may result in an undesirably largespacing between the LEDs and the diffuser. The diffuser reduces theefficiency, and as the LEDs become brighter, more diffusion, withconcomitant decreases in efficiency, is required to achieve ahomogeneous luminance across the panel or sign. Furthermore, suchsystems often require relatively large heat sinks or thermal managementsystems, which also take up space and may require suitable ventilation,for example passive ventilation or active ventilation such as fans, toprevent deleterious heat buildup. These issues typically lead toundesirably large, thick, and potentially complicated lighting systems.

In addition, many applications for backlighting and illuminated panelsand signs require custom sizing to fit in a particular location. Systemshaving relatively few high-brightness LEDs on rigid circuit boards orsystems employing edge-lit panels may be difficult to use costeffectively in a wide range of installations, e.g., installationsrequiring size customization while maintaining high illuminationuniformity and high efficiency.

Accordingly, there is a need for solutions that provide lighting systemshaving a thin form factor with improved uniformity, high efficiency, andwhich are simple to install.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention relate to illumination systemsbased on flexible light sheets and that incorporate additionalfunctionality that enables various different mechanical mounting andelectrical and/or mechanical joining techniques. For example,illumination systems in accordance with embodiments of the inventionincorporate rigid or semi-rigid mounting frames that may also provideelectrical connectivity. In various embodiments, the illuminationsystems are modular and feature connection mechanisms (e.g., snapconnectors) that mechanically and electrically interconnect individuallight panels or light sheets together and/or to power-distributionsystems and/or to mounting rails.

Additional details of lighting systems in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention appear within U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/799,807, filed Mar. 13, 2013 (the '807 application), U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/748,864, filed Jan. 24, 2013 (the '864application), and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/699,149, filedApr. 29, 2015 (the '149 application), the entire disclosure of each ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

In an aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a lighting systemthat includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a first lightpanel, a second light panel, and a power distribution bus. The firstlight panel includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a firstsubstrate, first and second spaced-apart power conductors disposed onthe first substrate, a plurality of first light-emitting elementsdisposed on the first substrate and electrically connected to the firstand second power conductors, a first connector electrically connected tothe first power conductor, and a second connector electrically connectedto the second power conductor. The second light panel includes, consistsessentially of, or consists of a second substrate, third and fourthspaced-apart power conductors disposed on the second substrate, aplurality of second light-emitting elements disposed on the secondsubstrate and electrically connected to the third and fourth powerconductors, a third connector electrically connected to the third powerconductor, a fourth connector electrically connected to the fourth powerconductor, a fifth connector electrically connected to the third powerconductor, a sixth connector electrically connected to the fourth powerconductor, a seventh connector electrically connected to the third powerconductor, and an eighth connector electrically connected to the fourthpower conductor. The power distribution bus includes, consistsessentially of, or consists of first and second power distributionlines, a ninth connector electrically connected to the first powerdistribution line, and a tenth connector electrically connected to thesecond power distribution line. The first connector is configured forconnection to the third connector, thereby electrically coupling thefirst power conductor to the third power conductor. The second connectoris configured for connection to the fourth connector, therebyelectrically coupling the second power conductor to the fourth powerconductor. The ninth connector is configured for connection to the fifthconnector, thereby electrically coupling the third power conductor tothe first power distribution line. The tenth connector is configured forconnection to the sixth connector, thereby electrically coupling thefourth power conductor to the second power distribution line. Theseventh and eighth connectors are configured to provide power to anelectronic device from the first and second power distribution lineswhen (a) the ninth connector is connected to the fifth connector and (b)the tenth connector is connected to the sixth connector.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following inany of a variety of combinations. Connections between connectors may bedirect connections (i.e., the connectors make a direct physicalconnection) or may be connections made via a jumper or otherintermediate element (i.e., the connectors are electrically connected toeach other via the jumper or other intermediate element but are not indirect physical contact). The seventh and/or eighth connector mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more verticalconnectors. The seventh and/or eighth connector may include, consistessentially of, or consist of one or more snap connectors. The seventhconnector may be disposed on or over the second substrate. The seventhconnector may be spaced apart from the third and fifth connectors. Theeighth connector may be disposed on or over the second substrate. Theeighth connector may be spaced apart from the fourth and sixthconnectors. The lighting system may include an electronic deviceelectrically coupled to the seventh and eighth connectors. Theelectronic device may include, consist essentially of, or consist of asensor, a camera, a speaker, and/or a microphone. The first light panelmay define one or more apertures (i.e., holes) therethrough. The secondlight panel may define one or more apertures (i.e., holes) therethrough.The lighting system may include a first jumper and/or a second jumper.The first jumper may include, consist essentially of, or consist of (i)a first jumper connector configured for connection to the fifthconnector and (ii) a second jumper connector configured for connectionto the ninth connector. The second jumper may include, consistessentially of, or consist of (i) a third jumper connector configuredfor connection to the sixth connector and (ii) a fourth jumper connectorconfigured for connection to the tenth connector.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a lightingsystem that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a firstlight panel, a second light panel, and a power distribution bus. Thefirst light panel includes, consists essentially of, or consists of afirst substrate, first and second spaced-apart power conductors disposedon the first substrate, a plurality of first light-emitting elementsdisposed on the first substrate and electrically connected to the firstand second power conductors, a first connector electrically connected tothe first power conductor, a second connector electrically connected tothe second power conductor, and a third connector. The third connectormay not be electrically connected to the first and/or second powerconductors. The second light panel includes, consists essentially of, orconsists of a second substrate, third and fourth spaced-apart powerconductors disposed on the second substrate, a control conductordisposed on the second substrate, a plurality of second light-emittingelements disposed on the second substrate and electrically connected tothe third and fourth power conductors, a fourth connector electricallyconnected to the third power conductor, a fifth connector electricallyconnected to the fourth power conductor, a sixth connector electricallyconnected to the third power conductor, a seventh connector electricallyconnected to the fourth power conductor, an eighth connectorelectrically connected to the control conductor, a ninth connectorelectrically connected to the control conductor, and a control connectorelectrically connected to the control conductor. The control conductormay be separate and/or spaced apart from the third and/or fourth powerconductors. The power distribution bus includes, consists essentiallyof, or consists of first and second power distribution lines, a controldistribution line, a tenth connector electrically connected to the firstpower distribution line, an eleventh connector electrically connected tothe second power distribution line, and a twelfth connector electricallyconnected to the control distribution line. The control distributionline may be separate and/or spaced apart from the first and/or secondpower distribution lines. The first connector is configured forconnection to the fourth connector, thereby electrically coupling thefirst power conductor to the third power conductor. The second connectoris configured for connection to the fifth connector, therebyelectrically coupling the second power conductor to the fourth powerconductor. The tenth connector is configured for connection to the sixthconnector, thereby electrically coupling the third power conductor tothe first power distribution line. The eleventh connector is configuredfor connection to the seventh connector, thereby electrically couplingthe fourth power conductor to the second power distribution line. Thethird connector is configured for connection to the eighth controlconnector, thereby electrically coupling the first control connector tothe control conductor. The ninth connector is configured for connectionto the twelfth connector, thereby electrically coupling the controlconductor to the control distribution line. The control connector isconfigured for at receipt and/or transmission of control and/orcommunication signals along the control conductor.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following inany of a variety of combinations. Connections between connectors may bedirect connections (i.e., the connectors make a direct physicalconnection) or may be connections made via a jumper or otherintermediate element (i.e., the connectors are electrically connected toeach other via the jumper or other intermediate element but are not indirect physical contact). The control connector may be disposed on orover the second substrate. The control connector may be separate andspaced apart from the eighth and/or ninth connectors. The controlconnector may include, consist essentially of, or consist of one or morevertical connectors. The control connector may include, consistessentially of, or consist of one or more snap connectors. The controlconnector may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a wirelessreceiver and/or a wireless transmitter. The lighting system may includea controller configured to control an emission characteristic of atleast the second light panel in response to control signals received viathe control connector. The controller may be configured to control anemission characteristic of the first light panel. The emissioncharacteristic may include, consist essentially of, or consist of alight intensity, an emission color, a spectral power distribution,and/or a spatial light distribution pattern. The second light panel mayinclude a thirteenth connector electrically connected to the third powerconductor and a fourteenth connector electrically connected to thefourth power conductor. The thirteenth and fourteenth connectors may beconfigured to provide power to an electronic device from the first andsecond power distribution lines when (a) the tenth connector isconnected to the sixth connector and/or (b) the eleventh connector isconnected to the seventh connector. The thirteenth connector mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more verticalconnectors. The thirteenth connector may include, consist essentiallyof, or consist of one or more snap connectors. The fourteenth connectormay include, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more verticalconnectors. The fourteenth connector may include, consist essentiallyof, or consist of one or more snap connectors. The thirteenth connectormay be disposed on or over the second substrate. The thirteenthconnector may be separate and spaced apart from the fourth and/or sixthconnectors. The fourteenth connector may be disposed on or over thesecond substrate. The fourteenth connector may be separate and spacedapart from the fifth and/or seventh connectors. The lighting system mayinclude an electronic device electrically coupled to the thirteenth andfourteenth connectors. The electronic device may include, consistessentially of, or consist of a sensor, a camera, a speaker, and/or amicrophone. The first light panel may define one or more apertures(i.e., holes) therethrough. The second light panel may define one ormore apertures (i.e., holes) therethrough. An electronic device may beelectrically coupled to the control connector. The electronic device mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of a sensor, a camera, aspeaker, and/or a microphone. The lighting system may include a firstjumper and/or a second jumper. The first jumper may include, consistessentially of, or consist of (i) a first jumper connector configuredfor connection to the sixth connector and (ii) a second jumper connectorconfigured for connection to the tenth connector. The second jumper mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of (i) a third jumperconnector configured for connection to the seventh connector and (ii) afourth jumper connector configured for connection to the eleventhconnector. The first jumper may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of (i) a first jumper connector configured for connection to theninth connector and (ii) a second jumper connector configured forconnection to the twelfth connector.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a lightingsystem that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a firstlight panel and a second light panel. The first light panel includes,consists essentially of, or consists of a first substrate, first andsecond spaced-apart power conductors disposed on the first substrate, aplurality of first light-emitting elements disposed on the firstsubstrate and electrically connected to the first and second powerconductors, a first connector electrically connected to the first powerconductor, and a second connector electrically connected to the secondpower conductor. The second light panel includes, consists essentiallyof, or consists of a second substrate, first and second tabs extendingfrom (and/or defined by) the second substrate, third and fourthspaced-apart power conductors disposed on the second substrate, aplurality of second light-emitting elements disposed on the secondsubstrate and electrically connected to the third and fourth powerconductors, a third connector electrically connected to the third powerconductor and disposed on the first tab, and a fourth connectorelectrically connected to the fourth power conductor and disposed on thesecond tab. The first tab and/or the second tab may be planar and/orelongated. The first tab and/or the second tab may be flexible. Thefirst connector is configured for connection to the third connector,thereby electrically coupling the first power conductor to the thirdpower conductor. The second connector is configured for connection tothe fourth connector, thereby electrically coupling the second powerconductor to the fourth power conductor. The first tab may include oneor more first strain-relief features that, e.g., increase complianceand/or flexibility of the lighting system when the first connector isconnected to the third connector. The second tab may include one or moresecond strain-relief features that, e.g., increase compliance and/orflexibility of the lighting system when the second connector isconnected to the fourth connector.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following inany of a variety of combinations. Connections between connectors may bedirect connections (i.e., the connectors make a direct physicalconnection) or may be connections made via a jumper or otherintermediate element (i.e., the connectors are electrically connected toeach other via the jumper or other intermediate element but are not indirect physical contact). One or more of the first strain-relieffeatures may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a cut (e.g.,a slit) penetrating through only a portion of a dimension (e.g., width)of the first tab. One or more of the second strain-relief features mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of a cut (e.g., a slit)penetrating through only a portion of a dimension (e.g., width) of thesecond tab. The one or more first strain-relief features may include,consist essentially of, or consist of two first strain-relief featuresextending inward into the first tab from opposite sides thereof. Each ofthe first strain-relief features may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of a cut penetrating through only a portion of a dimension(e.g., width) of the first tab. The one or more second strain-relieffeatures may include, consist essentially of, or consist of two secondstrain-relief features extending inward into the second tab fromopposite sides thereof. Each of the second strain-relief features mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of a cut penetrating throughonly a portion of a dimension (e.g., width) of the second tab. One ormore of the first strain-relief features may include, consistessentially of, or consist of an elongated cut having a terminationfeature disposed at an end thereof. A dimension (e.g., a width and/ordiameter) of the termination feature may be greater than a dimension(e.g., width) of the cut. One or more of the second strain-relieffeatures may include, consist essentially of, or consist of an elongatedcut having a termination feature disposed at an end thereof. A dimension(e.g., a width and/or diameter) of the termination feature may begreater than a dimension (e.g., width) of the cut. The first tab mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of two or more layers of amaterial of the second substrate. At least one of the layers may befolded over at least another one of the layers (e.g., along one or morefold lines) to define at least a portion of the first tab. The thirdconnector may extend through the two or more layers of the material ofthe second substrate. At least one of the first strain-relief featuresmay extend only through one of the layers of the material of the secondsubstrate. At least one of the first strain-relief features may notextend through all of the layers of the material of the secondsubstrate. The second tab may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of two or more layers of a material of the second substrate. Atleast one of the layers may be folded over at least another one of thelayers (e.g., along one or more fold lines) to define at least a portionof the second tab. The fourth connector may extend through the two ormore layers of the material of the second substrate. At least one of thesecond strain-relief features may extend only through one of the layersof the material of the second substrate. At least one of the secondstrain-relief features may not extend through all of the layers of thematerial of the second substrate. The second light panel may include afifth connector electrically connected to the third power conductor, anda sixth connector electrically connected to the fourth power conductor.The lighting system may include a power distribution bus. The powerdistribution bus may include, consist essentially of, or consist offirst and second power distribution lines, a seventh connectorelectrically connected to the first power distribution line, and aneighth connector electrically connected to the second power distributionline. The seventh connector may be configured for connection to thefifth connector, thereby electrically coupling the third power conductorto the first power distribution line. The eighth connector may beconfigured for connection to the sixth connector, thereby electricallycoupling the fourth power conductor to the second power distributionline.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a lightingsystem that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a firstlight panel. The first light panel includes, consists essentially of, orconsists of a first substrate, first and second spaced-apart powerconductors disposed on the first substrate, a plurality of firstlight-emitting elements disposed on the first substrate, and asound-absorbing material. The first substrate defines a plurality ofapertures therethrough. The first light-emitting elements areelectrically connected to the first and second power conductors by aplurality of conductive traces. The first substrate is disposed over thesound-absorbing material. The first substrate may be disposed in directmechanical contact with the sound-absorbing material. The firstsubstrate may be adhered or attached to the sound-absorbing materialvia, e.g., an adhesive or other fastener(s). None of the aperturesdefined through the substrate intersects the first and secondspaced-apart power conductors, the plurality of first light-emittingelements, or the plurality of conductive traces.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following inany of a variety of combinations. The top surface of the first lightpanel may be shaped as a rectangle, square, circle, triangle,parallelogram, trapezoid, pentagon, or hexagon. The first light panelmay include a first connector and/or a second connector. The firstconnector may be electrically connected to the first power conductor.The second connector may be electrically connected to the second powerconductor. The first connector may be disposed on a tab (e.g., a flat,planar tab, which may include, consist essentially of, or consist of thesame material as the first substrate). The tab may protrude from thefirst substrate. The first substrate and the tab may be coplanar. Thesecond connector may be disposed on a tab, which may protrude from thefirst substrate. The sound-absorbing material may not directly underliea portion of or an entirety of the tab and/or the first connector. Thesound-absorbing material may not directly underlie the first connectorand/or the second connector. The first connector and the secondconnector may be differently gendered or polarized. The first connectormay be a male connector and the second connector may be a femaleconnector. The first connector may be a female connector and the secondconnector may be a male connector.

The plurality of apertures may collectively have an area that is atleast 10%, at least 15%, at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 70%, or atleast 80% of a surface area of the first light panel. Proximate one ofthe apertures, at least one of the first power conductor, the secondpower conductor, or at least one said conductive trace may not extend ina straight line. Opposing sides of the first power conductor, secondpower conductor, or at least one conductive trace may not be parallel toeach other proximate one of the apertures. At least one of the opposingsides may conform to curvature of the aperture. Proximate the one of theapertures, the at least one of the first power conductor, the secondpower conductor, or at least one said conductive trace may curve awayfrom the aperture. The first light panel may have a noise reductioncoefficient of at least 0.5, at least 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9,or at least 0.95.

The sound-absorbing material may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of fiberglass, sound absorbing foam, mineral wool, mineralfiber, acoustic fleece, acoustic ceiling tile, and/or fiberglass foam.All or a portion of the sound-absorbing material may be rigid. All or aportion of the sound-absorbing material may be flexible and/or soft.Below the apertures defined through the first substrate, thesound-absorbing material may have no apertures defined therethrough(i.e., the sound-absorbing material may define no apertures therethroughthat partially or completely overlap with apertures defined through thefirst substrate). The sound-absorbing material may be a multi-layerstructure including, consisting essentially of, or consisting of atleast one rigid layer and at least one layer that is flexible and/orsoft. The first substrate may be disposed on and in direct mechanicalcontact with the sound-absorbing material. The sound-absorbing materialmay be attached to the first substrate with an adhesive and/or one ormore mechanical fasteners. At least a portion of the outer perimeter ofthe sound-absorbing material may substantially conform to at least aportion of the outer perimeter of the first substrate. Thesound-absorbing material may include, consist essentially of, or consistof a rigid sound-absorbing panel. At least a portion of the outerperimeter of the sound-absorbing panel may substantially conform to atleast a portion of the outer perimeter of the first substrate. The firstsubstrate may be attached and/or adhered to the sound-absorbing panel.

The first substrate may have a first surface and a second surfaceopposite the first surface. The sound-absorbing material may have afirst surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. Thesecond surface of the first substrate may face, directly mechanicallycontact, or be adhered or attached to the first surface of thesound-absorbing material. The first surface of the first substrate mayhave a first CIELAB color value of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁. The first surface ofthe sound-absorbing material may have a second CIELAB color value ofL*₂, a*₂, b*₂. The difference ΔE* between the first and second CIELABcolor values may be less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, less than 3,less than 2, or less than 1. The first surface of the first substratemay have a first reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by thelight-emitting elements. The first surface of the sound-absorbingmaterial may have a second reflectivity to a wavelength of light emittedby the light-emitting elements. The first and second reflectivities maybe equal to each other ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, ±2%, or ±1%.

The lighting system may include one or more protective panels disposedover the first light panel. The protective panel may define therethrougha plurality of first apertures and a plurality of second apertures. Thefirst apertures may be sized, shaped, and positioned to allow lightemitted from the first light-emitting elements to pass through the firstapertures. The second apertures may be aligned with the plurality ofapertures defined through the first substrate. The outer perimeter of atleast one of the second apertures may substantially conform to the outerperimeter of at least one of the apertures defined through the firstsubstrate. The protective panel may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of plastic, foam, and/or sound-absorbing material. The firstsubstrate may have a first surface and a second surface opposite thefirst surface. The protective panel may have a first surface and asecond surface opposite the first surface. The first surface of thefirst substrate may face, directly mechanically contact, or be adheredor attached to the second surface of the protective layer. The firstsurface of the first substrate may have a first CIELAB color value ofL*₁, a*₁, b*₁. The first surface of the protective panel may have asecond CIELAB color value of L*₂, a*₂, b*₂. The difference ΔE* betweenthe first and second CIELAB color values may be less than 6, less than5, less than 4, less than 3, less than 2, or less than 1. The firstsurface of the first substrate may have a first reflectivity to awavelength of light emitted by the light-emitting elements. The firstsurface of the protective panel may have a second reflectivity to awavelength of light emitted by the light-emitting elements. The firstand second reflectivities may be equal to each other ±20%, ±15%, ±10%,±5%, ±2%, or ±1%. The sound-absorbing material may have a first surfaceand a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface ofthe protective panel may face, directly mechanically contact, or beadhered or attached to the first surface of the sound-absorbingmaterial. For at least one of (or even all of) the second apertures, across-sectional area of the second aperture at the first surface of theprotective panel may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the secondaperture at the second surface of the protective panel. For the at leastone of the second apertures, the cross-sectional area of the secondaperture at the second surface of the protective panel may besubstantially equal to a cross-sectional area of an aperture definedthrough the first substrate and directly underlying the second aperture.

The lighting system may include an optic disposed above and spaced apartfrom the first light-emitting elements. The optic may include, consistessentially of, or consist of a lens, an optical diffuser, a refractiveoptic, a reflective optic, a Fresnel optic, a fabric, a polymer, stone,and/or a graphic panel. The optic may include, consist essentially of,or consist of an optical diffuser. The optical diffuser may have anoptical transmissivity greater than 10%, greater than 25%, greater than45%, or greater than 60% for a wavelength of light emitted by the firstlight-emitting elements. The plurality of first light-emitting elementsmay be spaced apart at a first pitch. The optical diffuser may be spacedapart from the first light-emitting elements by a first spacing. Thefirst spacing may be greater than the first pitch.

The lighting system may include a second light panel. The second lightpanel may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a secondsubstrate, third and fourth spaced-apart power conductors disposed onthe second substrate, a plurality of second light-emitting elementsdisposed on the second substrate and electrically connected to the thirdand fourth power conductors by a plurality of second conductive traces,a third connector electrically connected to the third power conductor,and a fourth connector electrically connected to the fourth powerconductor. The first connector may be configured for connection to thethird connector, thereby electrically coupling the first power conductorto the third power conductor. The second connector may be configured forconnection to the fourth connector, thereby electrically coupling thesecond power conductor to the fourth power conductor. The lightingsystem may include a second sound-absorbing material. The secondsubstrate may be disposed over, in direct mechanical contact with, oradhered or attached to the second sound-absorbing material. None of theapertures defined through the second substrate may intersect the thirdand fourth spaced-apart power conductors, the plurality of secondlight-emitting elements, or the plurality of second conductive traces.The second light panel may include a fifth connector electricallyconnected to the third power conductor. The second light panel mayinclude a sixth connector electrically connected to the fourth powerconductor.

The lighting system may include a power distribution bus. The powerdistribution bus may include, consist essentially of, or consist offirst and second power distribution lines, a seventh connectorelectrically connected to the first power distribution line, and aneighth connector electrically connected to the second power distributionline. The seventh connector may be configured for connection to thefifth connector, thereby electrically coupling the third power conductorto the first power distribution line. The eighth connector may beconfigured for connection to the sixth connector, thereby electricallycoupling the fourth power conductor to the second power distributionline. The power distribution bus may be separate from the first andsecond light panels and/or first and second substrates. Nolight-emitting elements may be disposed on the power distribution bus.The first light panel, second light panel, and/or power distribution busmay have a thickness less than 3 inches. The lighting system may includea rigid support structure disposed between the first substrate and thesound-absorbing material. The rigid support structure may define aplurality of second apertures therethrough. The second apertures may bealigned with (i.e., may partially overlap with, may have a perimeteredge disposed partially or completely within the perimeter edge of, mayhave a perimeter edge that partially or completely encompasses theperimeter edge of, or may have a perimeter edge that substantiallyconforms to the perimeter edge of) the apertures defined through thefirst substrate. Outer perimeters of the second apertures maysubstantially conform to outer perimeters of the apertures definedthrough the first substrate. One or more (or even all) of the secondapertures may have an outer perimeter that substantially conforms to theouter perimeter of the aperture defined through the first substratedisposed immediately thereabove. An electrical conductor may extend fromthe first light panel and be configured to electrically connect to andreceive power from an external power source. The electrical conductormay not extend through or otherwise intersect the sound-absorbingmaterial. The electrical conductor may not directly contact thesound-absorbing material. The cross-sectional area of at least one of(or even all of) the apertures may be smaller than a cross-sectionalarea of a top surface of at least one of (or even all of) the firstlight-emitting elements.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a lightingsystem that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a firstlight panel. The first light panel includes, consists essentially of, orconsists of a first substrate, first and second spaced-apart powerconductors disposed on the first substrate, a plurality of firstlight-emitting elements disposed on the first substrate, and asound-absorbing material. The first light-emitting elements areelectrically connected to the first and second power conductors (e.g.,by a plurality of conductive traces). The sound-absorbing materialdefines a plurality of apertures therethrough. The sound-absorbingmaterial is disposed over the first substrate. The apertures are sized,shaped, and positioned to allow light emitted from the firstlight-emitting elements to pass through the sound-absorbing material.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a lightingsystem that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a firstsubstrate having first and second opposed surfaces and defining aplurality of apertures therethrough, first and second spaced-apart powerconductors disposed on the first surface of the first substrate, aplurality of first light-emitting elements disposed on the firstsubstrate and electrically connected to the first and second powerconductors by a plurality of conductive traces, a frame in which thefirst substrate is disposed, a diffuser suspended in or on the frame andover and spaced away from the first surface of the first substrate, anda sound-absorbing material disposed beneath the second surface of thefirst substrate. At least a portion of the frame protrudes beyond thefirst surface of the first substrate. None of the apertures intersectsthe first and second power conductors, the plurality of firstlight-emitting elements, or the plurality of conductive traces.

In an aspect, embodiments of the invention feature an acoustic lightingsystem that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a rigidsound-absorbing material having first and second opposing surfaces, anda plurality of light panels disposed over the first surface of thesound-absorbing material and spaced apart from each other such that thesound-absorbing material is exposed through gaps between the lightpanels. One or more, or even each (but not necessarily each) light panelincludes, consists essentially of, or consists of (i) a substrate and(ii) a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed over the substrate.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following inany of a variety of combinations. The acoustic lighting system mayinclude means for suspending the lighting system from a wall or ceiling.The suspension means may extend from the second surface of thesound-absorbing material. At least a portion of the second surface ofthe sound-absorbing material may be exposed to thereby absorb sounddeflecting from the wall or ceiling. An optic may be disposed over allor a portion of the light panels. The optic may include, consistessentially of, or consist of a lens, an optical diffuser, a refractiveoptic, a reflective optic, a Fresnel optic, a fabric, a polymer, stone,and/or a graphic panel. The optic may include, consist essentially of,or consist of an optical diffuser. The optical diffuser may have anoptical transmissivity greater than 25% for a wavelength of lightemitted by at least some of the light-emitting elements. Thelight-emitting elements may be spaced apart at a first pitch. Theoptical diffuser may be spaced apart from the light-emitting elements bya first spacing. The first spacing may be greater than the first pitch.

The light panels may be electrically connected to form a plurality ofindependently powered and controllable groups of light panels. All ofthe light panels may be electrically connected to each other. The lightpanels may be electrically connected via one or more electricalconductors over the first surface of the sound-absorbing material. Thesound-absorbing material may define a hole therethrough. At least onesaid electrical conductor may extend through the hole to the secondsurface of the sound-absorbing material. The sound-absorbing materialmay include, consist essentially of, or consist of fiberglass,sound-absorbing foam, mineral wool, mineral fiber, acoustic fleece,polyester, polyester felt, polyethylene terephthalate, acoustic ceilingtile, and/or fiberglass foam. The sound-absorbing material may be amulti-layer structure including, consisting essentially of, orconsisting of at least one rigid layer and at least one layer that isflexible and/or soft. One or more, or even each, substrate may bedisposed on and in direct mechanical contact with the sound-absorbingmaterial. One or more, or even each, light panel may be attached to thesound-absorbing material with an adhesive and/or a mechanical fastener.

Each substrate may have a first surface and a second surface oppositethe first surface. The second surface of each substrate may face thefirst surface of the sound-absorbing material. The first surface of eachsubstrate may have a first CIELAB color value of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁. Thefirst surface of the sound-absorbing material may have a second CIELABcolor value of L*₂, a*₂, b*₂. A difference ΔE* between the first andsecond CIELAB color values may be less than 8, less than 7, less than 6,less than 5, less than 4, less than 3, less than 2, or less than 1. Thefirst surface of each substrate may have a first reflectivity to awavelength of light emitted by the light-emitting elements. The firstsurface of the sound-absorbing material may have a second reflectivityto a wavelength of light emitted by the light-emitting elements. Thefirst and second reflectivities may be equal to each other ±20%, ±15%,±10%, ±5%, ±2%, or ±1%.

A protective panel may be disposed over one or more, or even all, of thelight panels. The protective panel may define therein a plurality offirst apertures and a plurality of second apertures. The first aperturesmay be positioned to allow light emitted from the light-emittingelements to pass through the first apertures. The second apertures mayat least partially overlap with the gaps between the light panels. Theprotective panel may include, consist essentially of, or consist ofplastic, foam, and/or sound-absorbing material. Each substrate may havea first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. Theprotective panel may have a first surface and a second surface oppositethe first surface.

The first surface of each substrate may face the second surface of theprotective panel. The first surface of each substrate may have a firstCIELAB color value of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁. The first surface of the protectivepanel may have a second CIELAB color value of L*₂, a*₂, b*₂. Adifference ΔE* between the first and second CIELAB color values may beless than 8, less than 7, less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, lessthan 3, less than 2, or less than 1. The first surface of each substratemay have a first reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by thelight-emitting elements. The first surface of the protective panel mayhave a second reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by thelight-emitting elements. The first and second reflectivities may beequal to each other ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, ±2%, or ±1%.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature an acousticlighting system that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of arigid support panel having first and second opposing surfaces, a lightpanel, and a plurality of sections of a sound-absorbing material havinggaps therebetween. The light panel is disposed over the first surface ofthe support panel. The light panel includes, consists essentially of, orconsists of (i) a substrate having one or more apertures or cut-outregions defined therein and (ii) a plurality of light-emitting elementsdisposed over the substrate. The sections of the sound-absorbingmaterial are disposed between the support panel and the light panel. Atleast portions of at least some of the sections are exposed through theone or more apertures or cut-out regions in the light-panel.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following inany of a variety of combinations. The acoustic lighting system mayinclude means for suspending the lighting system from a wall or ceiling.The suspension means may extend from the second surface of thesound-absorbing material. An optic may be disposed over all or a portionof the light panel. The optic may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of a lens, an optical diffuser, a refractive optic, a reflectiveoptic, a Fresnel optic, a fabric, a polymer, stone, and/or a graphicpanel. The optic may include, consist essentially of, or consist of anoptical diffuser. The optical diffuser may have an opticaltransmissivity greater than 25% for a wavelength of light emitted by atleast some of the light-emitting elements. The light-emitting elementsmay be spaced apart at a first pitch. The optical diffuser may be spacedapart from the light-emitting elements by a first spacing. The firstspacing may be greater than the first pitch.

The support panel may define one or more apertures therethrough toexpose sound-absorbing material via the second surface of the supportpanel. One or more, or even each, section of the sound-absorbingmaterial may include, consist essentially of, or consist of fiberglass,sound-absorbing foam, mineral wool, mineral fiber, acoustic fleece,polyester, polyester felt, polyethylene terephthalate, acoustic ceilingtile, and/or fiberglass foam. One or more, or even each, section of thesound-absorbing material may be a multi-layer structure including,consisting essentially of, or consisting of at least one rigid layer andat least one layer that is flexible and/or soft. The substrate may bedisposed over or disposed on and in direct mechanical contact with thesections of the sound-absorbing material. The light panel may beattached to the sections of the sound-absorbing material with anadhesive and/or one or more mechanical fasteners.

The substrate may have a first surface and a second surface opposite thefirst surface. Each section of the sound-absorbing material may have afirst surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. Thesecond surface of the substrate may face the first surfaces of thesections of the sound-absorbing material. The first surface of thesubstrate may have a first CIELAB color value of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁. Thefirst surfaces of the sections of the sound-absorbing material may havea second CIELAB color value of L*₂, a*₂, b*₂. A difference ΔE* betweenthe first and second CIELAB color values may be less than 8, less than7, less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, less than 3, less than 2, orless than 1. The first surface of the substrate may have a firstreflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by the light-emittingelements. The first surfaces of the sections of the sound-absorbingmaterial may have a second reflectivity to a wavelength of light emittedby the light-emitting elements. The first and second reflectivities maybe equal to each other ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, ±2%, or ±1%.

A protective panel may be disposed over the light panel. The protectivepanel may define therein a plurality of first apertures and a pluralityof second apertures. The first apertures may be positioned to allowlight emitted from the light-emitting elements to pass through the firstapertures. The second apertures may at least partially overlap with oneor more apertures or cut-out regions in the light panel. The protectivepanel may include, consist essentially of, or consist of plastic, foam,and/or sound-absorbing material. The substrate may have a first surfaceand a second surface opposite the first surface. The protective panelmay have a first surface and a second surface opposite the firstsurface.

The first surface of the substrate may face the second surface of theprotective panel. The first surface of the substrate may have a firstCIELAB color value of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁. The first surface of the protectivepanel may have a second CIELAB color value of L*₂, a*₂, b*₂. Adifference ΔE* between the first and second CIELAB color values may beless than 8, less than 7, less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, lessthan 3, less than 2, or less than 1. The first surface of the substratemay have a first reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by thelight-emitting elements. The first surface of the protective panel mayhave a second reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by thelight-emitting elements. The first and second reflectivities may beequal to each other ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, ±2%, or ±1%.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature an acousticlighting system that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of arigid sound-absorbing material having first and second opposingsurfaces, and a first light panel disposed over the first surface of thesound-absorbing material. The first light panel includes, consistsessentially of, or consists of (i) a substrate and (ii) a plurality oflight-emitting elements disposed over the substrate. The first lightpanel includes, consists essentially of, or consists of (i) a firstelongated portion extending in a first direction, (ii) first and secondpower conductors extending over the substrate in the first elongatedportion, (iii) a plurality of second elongated portions extending fromthe first elongated portion in a second direction different from thefirst direction. Each second elongated portion includes a plurality oflight-emitting elements thereon. Power is supplied to the light-emittingelements by the first and second power conductors. The second elongatedportions are separated by gaps therebetween such that thesound-absorbing material is exposed through the gaps between the secondelongated portions.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following inany of a variety of combinations. The first direction may besubstantially perpendicular (e.g., within ±5°, ±4°, ±3°, ±2°, or ±1° ofperpendicular) to the second direction. The light-emitting elements maybe electrically configured as a plurality of light-emitting strings eachincluding, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a plurality ofseries-connected light-emitting elements. Each light-emitting string maybe disposed on a different second elongated portion. At least one, oreven each, light-emitting string may extend along a plurality of secondelongated portions. No light-emitting elements may be disposed on thefirst elongated portion.

The acoustic lighting system may include means for suspending thelighting system from a wall or ceiling. The suspension means may extendfrom the second surface of the sound-absorbing material. At least aportion of the second surface of the sound-absorbing material may beexposed to thereby absorb sound deflecting from the wall or ceiling. Anoptic may be disposed over all or a portion of the first light panel.The optic may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a lens, anoptical diffuser, a refractive optic, a reflective optic, a Fresneloptic, a fabric, a polymer, stone, and/or a graphic panel. The optic mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of an optical diffuser. Theoptical diffuser may have an optical transmissivity greater than 25% fora wavelength of light emitted by at least some of the light-emittingelements. The light-emitting elements may be spaced apart at a firstpitch. The optical diffuser may be spaced apart from the light-emittingelements by a first spacing. The first spacing may be greater than thefirst pitch.

The sound-absorbing material may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of fiberglass, sound-absorbing foam, mineral wool, mineralfiber, acoustic fleece, polyester, polyester felt, polyethyleneterephthalate, acoustic ceiling tile, and/or fiberglass foam. Thesound-absorbing material may be a multi-layer structure including,consisting essentially of, or consisting of at least one rigid layer andat least one layer that is flexible and/or soft. The substrate may bedisposed on and in direct mechanical contact with the sound-absorbingmaterial. The first light panel may be attached to the sound-absorbingmaterial with an adhesive and/or a mechanical fastener.

The substrate may have a first surface and a second surface opposite thefirst surface. Each section of the sound-absorbing material may have afirst surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. Thesecond surface of the substrate may face the first surface of thesound-absorbing material. The first surface of the substrate may have afirst CIELAB color value of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁. The first surface of thesound-absorbing material may have a second CIELAB color value of L*₂,a*₂, b*₂. A difference ΔE* between the first and second CIELAB colorvalues may be less than 8, less than 7, less than 6, less than 5, lessthan 4, less than 3, less than 2, or less than 1. The first surface ofthe substrate may have a first reflectivity to a wavelength of lightemitted by the light-emitting elements. The first surface of thesound-absorbing material may have a second reflectivity to a wavelengthof light emitted by the light-emitting elements. The first and secondreflectivities may be equal to each other ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, ±2%, or±1%.

A protective panel may be disposed over the first light panel. Theprotective panel may define therein a plurality of first apertures and aplurality of second apertures. The first apertures may be positioned toallow light emitted from the light-emitting elements to pass through thefirst apertures. The second apertures may at least partially overlapwith the gaps between the second elongated portions. The protectivepanel may include, consist essentially of, or consist of plastic, foam,and/or sound-absorbing material. The substrate may have a first surfaceand a second surface opposite the first surface. The protective panelmay have a first surface and a second surface opposite the firstsurface.

The first surface of the substrate may face the second surface of theprotective panel. The first surface of the substrate may have a firstCIELAB color value of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁. The first surface of the protectivepanel may have a second CIELAB color value of L*₂, a*₂, b*₂. Adifference ΔE* between the first and second CIELAB color values may beless than 8, less than 7, less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, lessthan 3, less than 2, or less than 1. The first surface of the substratemay have a first reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by thelight-emitting elements. The first surface of the protective panel mayhave a second reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by thelight-emitting elements. The first and second reflectivities may beequal to each other ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, ±2%, or ±1%.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a lightingsystem that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a firstlight panel. The first light panel includes, consists essentially of, orconsists of a first substrate, first and second spaced-apart powerconductors disposed on the first substrate, a plurality of firstlight-emitting elements disposed on the first substrate, and asound-absorbing material. The first substrate defines a plurality ofcut-out regions therein. The sound-absorbing material may be rigid. Thefirst light-emitting elements are electrically connected to the firstand second power conductors by a plurality of conductive traces. Thefirst substrate is disposed over the sound-absorbing material. The firstsubstrate may be disposed in direct mechanical contact with thesound-absorbing material. The first substrate may be adhered or attachedto the sound-absorbing material via, e.g., an adhesive or otherfastener(s). None of the cut-out regions defined in the substrateintersects the first and second spaced-apart power conductors, theplurality of first light-emitting elements, or the plurality ofconductive traces.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following inany of a variety of combinations. The top surface of the first lightpanel may be shaped as a rectangle, square, circle, triangle,parallelogram, trapezoid, pentagon, or hexagon. The first light panelmay include a first connector and/or a second connector. The firstconnector may be electrically connected to the first power conductor.The second connector may be electrically connected to the second powerconductor. The first connector may be disposed on a tab (e.g., a flat,planar tab, which may include, consist essentially of, or consist of thesame material as the first substrate). The tab may protrude from thefirst substrate. The first substrate and the tab may be coplanar. Thesecond connector may be disposed on a tab, which may protrude from thefirst substrate. The sound-absorbing material may not directly underliea portion of or an entirety of the tab and/or the first connector. Thesound-absorbing material may not directly underlie the first connectorand/or the second connector. The first connector and the secondconnector may be differently gendered or polarized. The first connectormay be a male connector and the second connector may be a femaleconnector. The first connector may be a female connector and the secondconnector may be a male connector.

The plurality of cut-out regions may collectively have an area that isat least 10%, at least 15%, at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 70%, orat least 80% of a surface area of the first light panel. Proximate oneof the cut-out regions, at least one of the first power conductor, thesecond power conductor, or at least one said conductive trace may notextend in a straight line. Opposing sides of the first power conductor,second power conductor, or at least one conductive trace may not beparallel to each other proximate one of the cut-out regions. At leastone of the opposing sides may conform to curvature of the cut-outregion. Proximate the one of the cut-out regions, the at least one ofthe first power conductor, the second power conductor, or at least onesaid conductive trace may curve away from the cut-out region. The firstlight panel may have a noise reduction coefficient of at least 0.5, atleast 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9, or at least 0.95.

The sound-absorbing material may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of fiberglass, sound absorbing foam, mineral wool, mineralfiber, acoustic fleece, acoustic ceiling tile, and/or fiberglass foam.All or a portion of the sound-absorbing material may be rigid. All or aportion of the sound-absorbing material may be flexible and/or soft.Below the cut-out regions defined through the first substrate, thesound-absorbing material may have no apertures or cut-out regionsdefined therethrough (i.e., the sound-absorbing material may define noapertures or cut-out regions therethrough that partially or completelyoverlap with cut-out regions defined through the first substrate). Thesound-absorbing material may be a multi-layer structure including,consisting essentially of, or consisting of at least one rigid layer andat least one layer that is flexible and/or soft. The first substrate maybe disposed on and in direct mechanical contact with the sound-absorbingmaterial. The sound-absorbing material may be attached to the firstsubstrate with an adhesive and/or one or more mechanical fasteners. Atleast a portion of the outer perimeter of the sound-absorbing materialmay substantially conform to at least a portion of the outer perimeterof the first substrate. The sound-absorbing material may include,consist essentially of, or consist of a rigid sound-absorbing panel. Atleast a portion of the outer perimeter of the sound-absorbing panel maysubstantially conform to at least a portion of the outer perimeter ofthe first substrate. The first substrate may be attached and/or adheredto the sound-absorbing panel.

The first substrate may have a first surface and a second surfaceopposite the first surface. The sound-absorbing material may have afirst surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. Thesecond surface of the first substrate may face, directly mechanicallycontact, or be adhered or attached to the first surface of thesound-absorbing material. The first surface of the first substrate mayhave a first CIELAB color value of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁. The first surface ofthe sound-absorbing material may have a second CIELAB color value ofL*₂, a*₂, b*₂. The difference ΔE* between the first and second CIELABcolor values may be less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, less than 3,less than 2, or less than 1. The first surface of the first substratemay have a first reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by thelight-emitting elements. The first surface of the sound-absorbingmaterial may have a second reflectivity to a wavelength of light emittedby the light-emitting elements. The first and second reflectivities maybe equal to each other ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, ±2%, or ±1%.

The lighting system may include one or more protective panels disposedover the first light panel. The protective panel may define therethrougha plurality of first apertures and/or cut-out regions and a plurality ofsecond apertures and/or cut-out regions. The first apertures and/orcut-out regions may be sized, shaped, and positioned to allow lightemitted from the first light-emitting elements to pass through the firstapertures and/or cut-out regions. The second apertures and/or cut-outregions may be aligned with the plurality of cut-out regions definedthrough the first substrate. The outer perimeter of at least one of thesecond apertures or cut-out regions may substantially conform to theouter perimeter of at least one of the cut-out regions defined throughthe first substrate. The protective panel may include, consistessentially of, or consist of plastic, foam, and/or sound-absorbingmaterial. The first substrate may have a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface. The protective panel may have afirst surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The firstsurface of the first substrate may face, directly mechanically contact,or be adhered or attached to the second surface of the protective layer.The first surface of the first substrate may have a first CIELAB colorvalue of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁. The first surface of the protective panel mayhave a second CIELAB color value of L*₂, a*₂, b*₂. The difference ΔE*between the first and second CIELAB color values may be less than 6,less than 5, less than 4, less than 3, less than 2, or less than 1. Thefirst surface of the first substrate may have a first reflectivity to awavelength of light emitted by the light-emitting elements. The firstsurface of the protective panel may have a second reflectivity to awavelength of light emitted by the light-emitting elements. The firstand second reflectivities may be equal to each other ±20%, ±15%, ±10%,±5%, ±2%, or ±1%. The sound-absorbing material may have a first surfaceand a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface ofthe protective panel may face, directly mechanically contact, or beadhered or attached to the first surface of the sound-absorbingmaterial. For at least one of (or even all of) the second apertures orcut-out regions, a cross-sectional area of the second aperture orcut-out region at the first surface of the protective panel may belarger than a cross-sectional area of the second aperture or cut-outregion at the second surface of the protective panel. For the at leastone of the second apertures or cut-out regions, the cross-sectional areaof the second aperture or cut-out region at the second surface of theprotective panel may be substantially equal to a cross-sectional area ofa cut-out region defined through the first substrate and directlyunderlying the second aperture or cut-out region.

The lighting system may include an optic disposed above and spaced apartfrom the first light-emitting elements. The optic may include, consistessentially of, or consist of a lens, an optical diffuser, a refractiveoptic, a reflective optic, a Fresnel optic, a fabric, a polymer, stone,and/or a graphic panel. The optic may include, consist essentially of,or consist of an optical diffuser. The optical diffuser may have anoptical transmissivity greater than 10%, greater than 25%, greater than45%, or greater than 60% for a wavelength of light emitted by the firstlight-emitting elements. The plurality of first light-emitting elementsmay be spaced apart at a first pitch. The optical diffuser may be spacedapart from the first light-emitting elements by a first spacing. Thefirst spacing may be greater than the first pitch.

The lighting system may include a second light panel. The second lightpanel may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a secondsubstrate, third and fourth spaced-apart power conductors disposed onthe second substrate, a plurality of second light-emitting elementsdisposed on the second substrate and electrically connected to the thirdand fourth power conductors by a plurality of second conductive traces,a third connector electrically connected to the third power conductor,and a fourth connector electrically connected to the fourth powerconductor. The first connector may be configured for connection to thethird connector, thereby electrically coupling the first power conductorto the third power conductor. The second connector may be configured forconnection to the fourth connector, thereby electrically coupling thesecond power conductor to the fourth power conductor. The lightingsystem may include a second sound-absorbing material. The secondsubstrate may define a plurality of cut-out regions therein. The secondsubstrate may be disposed over, in direct mechanical contact with, oradhered or attached to the second sound-absorbing material. None of thecut-out regions defined through the second substrate may intersect thethird and fourth spaced-apart power conductors, the plurality of secondlight-emitting elements, or the plurality of second conductive traces.The second light panel may include a fifth connector electricallyconnected to the third power conductor. The second light panel mayinclude a sixth connector electrically connected to the fourth powerconductor.

The lighting system may include a power distribution bus. The powerdistribution bus may include, consist essentially of, or consist offirst and second power distribution lines, a seventh connectorelectrically connected to the first power distribution line, and aneighth connector electrically connected to the second power distributionline. The seventh connector may be configured for connection to thefifth connector, thereby electrically coupling the third power conductorto the first power distribution line. The eighth connector may beconfigured for connection to the sixth connector, thereby electricallycoupling the fourth power conductor to the second power distributionline. The power distribution bus may be separate from the first andsecond light panels and/or first and second substrates. Nolight-emitting elements may be disposed on the power distribution bus.The first light panel, second light panel, and/or power distribution busmay have a thickness less than 3 inches. The lighting system may includea rigid support structure disposed between the first substrate and thesound-absorbing material. The rigid support structure may define aplurality of second cut-out regions therethrough. The second cut-outregions may be aligned with (i.e., may partially overlap with, may havea perimeter edge disposed partially or completely within the perimeteredge of, may have a perimeter edge that partially or completelyencompasses the perimeter edge of, or may have a perimeter edge thatsubstantially conforms to the perimeter edge of) the cut-out regionsdefined through the first substrate. Outer perimeters of the secondcut-out regions may substantially conform to outer perimeters of thecut-out regions defined through the first substrate. One or more (oreven all) of the second cut-out regions may have an outer perimeter thatsubstantially conforms to the outer perimeter of the cut-out regiondefined through the first substrate disposed immediately thereabove. Anelectrical conductor may extend from the first light panel and beconfigured to electrically connect to and receive power from an externalpower source. The electrical conductor may not extend through orotherwise intersect the sound-absorbing material. The electricalconductor may not directly contact the sound-absorbing material. Thecross-sectional area of at least one of (or even all of) the cut-outregions may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of a top surface ofat least one of (or even all of) the first light-emitting elements.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a lightingsystem that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a firstlight panel. The first light panel includes, consists essentially of, orconsists of a first substrate, first and second spaced-apart powerconductors disposed on the first substrate, a plurality of firstlight-emitting elements disposed on the first substrate, and asound-absorbing material. The first light-emitting elements areelectrically connected to the first and second power conductors (e.g.,by a plurality of conductive traces). The sound-absorbing materialdefines a plurality of cut-out regions therein. The sound-absorbingmaterial is disposed over the first substrate. The cut-out regions aresized, shaped, and positioned to allow light emitted from the firstlight-emitting elements to pass through the sound-absorbing material.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention feature a lightingsystem that includes, consists essentially of, or consists of a firstsubstrate having first and second opposed surfaces and defining aplurality of cut-out regions therein, first and second spaced-apartpower conductors disposed on the first surface of the first substrate, aplurality of first light-emitting elements disposed on the firstsubstrate and electrically connected to the first and second powerconductors by a plurality of conductive traces, a frame in which thefirst substrate is disposed, a diffuser suspended in or on the frame andover and spaced away from the first surface of the first substrate, anda sound-absorbing material disposed beneath the second surface of thefirst substrate. At least a portion of the frame protrudes beyond thefirst surface of the first substrate. None of the cut-out regionsintersects the first and second power conductors, the plurality of firstlight-emitting elements, or the plurality of conductive traces.

These and other objects, along with advantages and features of theinvention, will become more apparent through reference to the followingdescription, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. Furthermore, itis to be understood that the features of the various embodimentsdescribed herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in variouscombinations and permutations. Reference throughout this specificationto “one example,” “an example,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the example is included in at least one example ofthe present technology. Thus, the occurrences of the phrases “in oneexample,” “in an example,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same example. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, routines, steps, or characteristics may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more examples of the technology. As usedherein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially”mean±10%, and in some embodiments, ±5%. The term “consists essentiallyof” means excluding other materials that contribute to function, unlessotherwise defined herein. Nonetheless, such other materials may bepresent, collectively or individually, in trace amounts.

Herein, two components such as light-emitting elements and/or opticalelements being “aligned” or “associated” with each other may refer tosuch components being mechanically and/or optically aligned. By“mechanically aligned” is meant coaxial or situated along a parallelaxis. By “optically aligned” is meant that at least some light (or otherelectromagnetic signal) emitted by or passing through one componentpasses through and/or is emitted by the other. As used herein, the terms“phosphor,” “wavelength-conversion material,” and “light-conversionmaterial” refer to any material that shifts the wavelength of lightstriking it and/or that is luminescent, fluorescent, and/orphosphorescent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention. In the followingdescription, various embodiments of the present invention are describedwith reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1E are schematics of lighting panels in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a partial circuit diagram of a light sheet in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 2B and 2C are partial schematics of light sheets in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 2D and 2E are partial circuit topologies of light sheets inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of portions of a frame element in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-4E, 5A, and 5B are schematics of portions of a frame element inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 5C and 5D are schematics of a frame element in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C are schematics of illumination systems in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 7D-7F are schematics of tiled lighting panels in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a frame element incorporating aninsulation-displacement connector in accordance with various embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the frame element ofFIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a schematic illustration of a lighting system incorporatingfour light panels in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional schematics of conductive elementsincorporated into frame elements in accordance with various embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 10A is a plan-view schematic of joined light panels in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional schematic of joined frame elements inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 11A is a partial circuit diagram of a portion of a system inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 11B is a plan-view schematic of a portion of a light sheet inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional schematic of the light-sheet portion ofFIG. 11B;

FIG. 11D is a cross-sectional schematic of the interior of a frameelement in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 12A-12D are cross-sectional schematics of frame elements inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram of an illumination system featuring twoelectrically connected light sheets in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 13B is a schematic cross-section of a clamping mechanism inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a lighting system in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 15A-15E are schematic diagrams of light panels in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional schematic of a portion of a light panel inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 17A-17C are schematic plan views of lighting systems in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 18A-18D are cross-sectional schematics of light panels or lightsheets incorporating electrical connectors in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 18E and 18F are cross-sectional schematics of light panels orlight sheets joined via electrical connectors in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 18G and 18H are views of electrical connectors in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a light panel or light sheetincorporating tabs and electrical connectors in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 19B-19D are magnified views of portions of light panels or lightsheets that are folded and feature electrical connectors in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 19E is a perspective view of a light panel or light sheet havingfolded peripheral portions in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 19F is a schematic comparison of power conductor width of foldedand unfolded light sheets or light panels in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 19G is a schematic of a portion of a light sheet or light panelincorporating multiple folds in accordance with various embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 19H is a perspective view of a light panel or light sheet havingfolded peripheral portions in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 19I is a schematic of a portion of a light sheet or light panelincorporating multiple folds in accordance with various embodiments ofthe invention;

FIGS. 19J, 19K, and 19L are schematics of power conductor configurationsin accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are schematic plan views of light panels or lightsheets in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 20C and 21A-21E are schematic plan views of lighting systemsincorporating electrically connected light panels or light sheets inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 21F is a schematic side view of an installed lighting system inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 22A, 22B, 23A, and 23B are schematic plan views of lightingsystems incorporating electrically connected light panels or lightsheets in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are perspective views of a light panel tab inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 24C is a plan view of a multi-layer light tab panel in an unfoldedconfiguration in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 25A and 25B are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of a lighting panel in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of a lighting panel in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 26C is a partial circuit diagram of a light sheet in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 26D is a partial schematic of a light sheet in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 26E and 26F are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of a portion of a lighting panel inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of a lighting panel in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 28A is a schematic plan view of a lighting panel in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 28B is a schematic of a fastener in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 28C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a lightingpanel in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 29A-29D are schematic plan views of lighting panels in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 29E is a schematic plan view of a portion of a lighting panel inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 30A and 30B are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of a lighting panel in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 31A is a schematic plan view of a lighting panel in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 31B is a schematic plan view of a portion of a lighting panel inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 32A and 32B are schematic cross-sections of test configurations inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 33A and 33B are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of a lighting panel in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 33C is a schematic plan view of portions of a lighting panel inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 34A and 34B are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of a lighting panel in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 34C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighting system inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 35A-35C are schematic cross-sectional views of portions oflighting panels in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 35D and 35E are schematic isometric views of portions of lightingpanels in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 35F is a schematic cross-sectional view of lighting panels inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 36A-36D are schematic cross-sectional views of lighting systems inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 37A and 37B are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of a lighting panel in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 37C and 37D are schematic plan-views of partial lighting panels inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 38A and 38B are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of an acoustic lighting panel inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 38C and 38D are a schematic cross-sectional views of acousticlighting panels in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 39A and 39B are a schematic plan-view and a schematiccross-sectional view, respectively, of an acoustic lighting panel inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 39C and 39D are schematic plan-views of a portion of an acousticlighting panel in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 39E is a schematic plan-view of an acoustic lighting panel inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 39F and 39G are schematic cross-sectional views of a portion of anacoustic lighting panel in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 39H is a schematic plan-view of a portion of an acoustic lightingpanel in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 39I-39K are schematic views of strain reliefs in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 40A-40E are a schematic views of acoustic lighting panels inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 40F is a schematic plan-view of an acoustic lighting panel inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 40G and 40H are schematic cross-sectional views of lightingsystems incorporating the lighting panel of FIG. 40F in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 40I is a schematic view of a lighting system in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary lighting panel 100 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, although alternative systems withsimilar functionality are also within the scope of the invention. Invarious embodiments, lighting panel 100 includes or consists essentiallyof one or more flexible light sheets 110 and optionally one or moreflexible, positionable, semi-rigid, substantially rigid, or rigid frameelements 120. (FIG. 1A depicts two such frame elements, frame elements120, 120′.) Frame elements 120, 120′ may be disposed on all or portionsof one or more edges of light sheet 110. While FIG. 1A shows lightingpanel 100 having two frame elements 120, 120′ on opposite sides of lightsheet 110, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and inother embodiments lighting panel 100 may have frame elements 120 on oneside of light sheet 110, three sides of light sheet 110, or four sidesof light sheet 110 (i.e., one or more sides, or even all sides, of apolygonal light sheet 110). In various embodiments of the presentinvention lighting panel 100 may not include any frame elements. Invarious embodiments, one or more frame elements 120 may be disposed on anon-edge region of light sheet 110, e.g., a center portion within theedges defining light sheet 110, while in other embodiments one or moreportions of a frame element 120 may be disposed such that a portion ofthe frame element 120 extends beyond one or more edges of light sheet110.

While FIG. 1A shows frame elements 120 having a length about the same asthe length of the side of light sheet 110 on which they are formed, thisis not a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentsframe elements 120 may be longer or shorter than the associateddimension of light sheet 110. FIG. 1B shows an example of frame element120 having a length shorter than the associated dimension of light sheet110; however, in other embodiments frame element 120 may have a lengthlonger than the associated dimension of light sheet 110. While FIGS. 1Aand 1B show light sheet 110 as substantially square, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments lightsheet 110 may be rectangular, triangular, wedge or pie-section shaped,rhombohedral, hexagonal, circular, ellipsoidal, or have any arbitraryshape. FIGS. 1C, 1D, and 1E show examples of rectangular, triangular,and circular light sheets 110 respectively.

In various embodiments, light sheet 110 includes or consists essentiallyof an array of light-emitting elements (LEEs) electrically coupled byconductive traces formed on a flexible substrate, for example asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/799,807, filed Mar. 13,2013 (the '807 application), or U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/970,027, filed Aug. 19, 2013 (the '027 application), the entiredisclosure of each of which is herein hereby incorporated by reference.

In various embodiments, various elements such as frame elements,substrates, or light sheets are “flexible” in the sense of being pliantin response to a force and resilient, i.e., tending to elasticallyresume an original or substantially original configuration upon removalof the force. Such elements may have a radius of curvature of about 50cm or less, or about 20 cm or less, or about 5 cm or less, or about 1 cmor less, or even about 0.5 cm or less. In various embodiments, flexibleelements may have a Young's Modulus less than about 50×10⁹ N/m², lessthan about 10×10⁹ N/m², or even less than about 5×10⁹ N/m². In variousembodiments, flexible elements may have a Shore A hardness value lessthan about 100; a Shore D hardness less than about 100; and/or aRockwell hardness less than about 150. In various embodiments, suchelements may permit folding and or creasing, for example folding of theelement over on itself (e.g., folding a portion of the element throughsubstantially 180°, such that the folded portion lays on and issubstantially parallel to the non-folded portion) without substantiallyimpairing the functionality of conductive traces on the substrate and/orthe functionality of the substrate. For example, in various embodiments,the functionality of the conductive trace may include a resistance orconductance value, a reliability metric, a mechanical metric, or thelike. In various embodiments, the functionality of the substrate mayinclude a resistance value, a reliability metric, a mechanical metric,or the like. In various embodiments, a folded or creased element mayhave a radius of curvature of less than 2 mm, or less than 1 mm or lessthan 0.05 mm. In various embodiments of the present invention, theelements may be folded or creased without damage or substantial damageto the elements, for example to the substrate and/or conductive trace.In various embodiments of the present invention, the elements may befolded or creased without changing or substantially changing theelectrical and/or mechanical and/or thermal and/or optical properties ofthe elements.

In various embodiments, various elements such as substrates, lightsheets, or frame elements may be positionable, in the sense that theyare pliant in response to a force, as with a flexible element, but uponremoval of the force, retain or substantially retain the deformed shape.In various embodiments such positionable characteristics may be achievedby plastic deformation of the element; however, this is not a limitationof the present invention, and in other embodiments the positionablecharacteristic may be achieved without substantial plastic deformationof the element. Such elements may have essentially any radius ofcurvature, but in particular may have a radius of curvature of about 50cm or less, or about 20 cm or less, or about 5 cm or less, or about 1 cmor less, or even about 0.5 cm or less.

In various embodiments, elements such as frame elements may be rigid orsubstantially rigid, in the sense that they are not pliant in responseto a force, i.e., tending to break or crack in response to a force. Invarious embodiments, various elements such as substrates, light sheets,or frame elements are semi-rigid, i.e., having a deformationcharacteristic between that of a flexible element and a rigid orsubstantially rigid element. Such elements may have a radius ofcurvature greater than about 50 cm.

FIG. 2A depicts an exemplary circuit topology, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, which features conductive traces260, at least two power conductors 210, 220, multiple LEEs 230, andoptional control elements (CEs) 240. In various embodiments, LEEs 230may be configured in a regular periodic array, for example asubstantially square or rectangular array, where LEEs 230 are separatedby pitch (or “spacing”) 223 in the one direction (for example verticaldirection) by pitch 225 in a substantially orthogonal direction (forexample the horizontal direction; see FIG. 2C). In various embodiments,pitch 225 is the same as or substantially the same as pitch 223.

FIG. 2A shows two power conductors 210, 220, which may be used toprovide power to strings 250 of LEEs 230. Each string 250 may includetwo or more electrically coupled LEEs 230. LEEs 230 in string 250 may beelectrically coupled in series, as shown in FIG. 2A; however, this isnot a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentsother examples of electrical coupling may be utilized, for example LEEsin parallel or in any combination of series and parallel connections.FIG. 2A shows CE 240 in series with string 250; however, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments CE 240 mayhave different electrical coupling between power conductors 210, 220, ormay be absent altogether. For example, in various embodiments CE 240 maybe separately electrically coupled to power conductors 210, 220 and tothe LEE string 250, while in other embodiments each CE 240 may beelectrically coupled to two or more strings. The number of stringselectrically coupled to each CE 240 is not a limitation of the presentinvention. Combinations of structures described herein, as well as otherelectrical connections, all fall within the scope of the presentinvention. Power conductors 210, 220 may be used to provide power tostrings 250, for example AC power, DC power, or power modulated by anyother means. Each control element 240 may be, for example electricallyconnected to at least one light-emitting string 250 and configured toutilize power supplied from the power conductors 210, 220 to controlpower (e.g., supply a substantially constant current) to thelight-emitting string(s) 250 to which it is electrically connected.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C that depict schematics of exemplary lightsheets 110, light sheet 110 features an array of LEEs 230 eachelectrically coupled between conductive traces 260, and power conductors210 and 220 providing power to conductive traces 260 and CEs 240, all ofwhich are disposed over a substrate 265. As utilized herein, a “wiringboard” refers to a substrate for LEEs with or without additionalelements such as conductive traces or CEs. A wiring board may also bereferred to as a light sheet or a circuit board. FIG. 2B shows anenlarged portion of an exemplary light sheet 110. In the exemplaryembodiment depicted in FIG. 2B, power conductors 210, 220 are spacedapart from each other and light-emitting strings (or simply “strings”)250 are connected in parallel across power conductors 210, 220. Invarious embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 2B, strings 250 do notcross (i.e., intersect) each other. In other words, power conductors210, 220 are oriented in one direction and strings 250 are oriented suchthat they span power conductors 210, 220 in a different direction. Asshown in FIG. 2B, strings 250 may be substantially perpendicular topower conductors 210, 220. However, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments at least some segments(i.e., portions connecting two or more LEEs 230), or even the entirestrings 250, may define a line (not necessarily a straight line) that isnot perpendicular to power conductors 210, 220 yet is (at least for anentire string 250) not parallel to power conductors 210, 220. In otherembodiments strings 250 may intersect, for example one string 250splitting into two or more strings 250, or two or more strings 250joining to form a reduced number of strings 250. In various embodiments,conductive traces 260 may cross over each other without beingelectrically coupled to each other, and in various embodiments, strings250 may cross over or under each other without being electricallycoupled to each other. In various embodiments, all or a portion of oneor more strings 250 may extend beyond the area disposed between thepower conductors 210, 220. Various examples of string geometries andconformations utilized in embodiments of the present invention aredetailed in the '807 and '027 applications.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, LEEs 230 may be positioned across substrate265 in a regular periodic array, although this is not a limitation ofthe present invention, and in other embodiments LEEs 230 may occupy anypositions on light sheet 110. Power conductors 210 and 220 provide powerto each LEE string, for example the string 250 encircled by the dashedline in FIG. 2B. Each LEE string 250 typically includes multipleconductive traces 260 that interconnect multiple LEEs 230, as well asone or more CEs 240, which in FIG. 2B is in series with LEEs 230. String250 shown in FIG. 2B is a folded string, i.e., a string that has threesegments electrically coupled in series but positioned as three adjacentsegments. A string segment is a portion of a string spanning all or aportion of the region between power conductors (e.g., power conductors210 and 220 in FIG. 2B). In light sheet 110, some string segments mayinclude LEEs 230 and others may not. However, in other embodiments, thedistribution and position of LEEs 230 along conductive elements 260 andstring segments may be different. In various embodiments, a string 250may be a straight string, i.e., a string with no folds, as shown in FIG.2C. (The example shown in FIG. 2C does not include CEs 240.) In astraight string, one end of string 250 is electrically coupled to powerconductor 210, while the other end of string 250 is electrically coupledto power conductor 220 with no turns or corners therebetween. As will bediscussed, the number of segments in a string 250 is not a limitation ofthe present invention. Various examples of straight and folded stringsutilized in embodiments of the present invention are detailed in the'807 and '027 applications.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate three aspects of various embodiments inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. The first is themultiple strings 250 that are powered by the set of power conductors210, 220. The second is the positional relationship between thelocations of LEEs 230 and CE 240, which is disposed between theconductive traces 260 and between power conductors 210,220. The third isthe inclusion of a CE 240 in each string of series-connected LEEs 230.Combinations of these three aspects enable light sheet 110 to beeconomically manufactured in very long lengths, for example in aroll-to-roll process, and cut to specified lengths, forming lightsheets, while maintaining the ability to tile, or place light sheetsadjacent to each other (e.g., in the length direction), with no orsubstantially no change in pitch between LEEs 230 or in the opticalcharacteristics across the joint between two adjacent light sheets, asdiscussed in more detail in the '807 and '027 applications.

In an exemplary embodiment, CE 240 is configured to regulate the currentor maintain a constant or substantially constant current through LEEs230 of string 250. For example, in various embodiments, a constant orsubstantially constant voltage may be applied to power conductors 210,220, which may, under certain circumstances may have some variation, orthe sum of the forward voltages of LEEs 230 in different strings may besomewhat different, for example as a result of LEE manufacturingtolerances, or the component and/or operational values of the element(s)within CE 240 may vary, for example as a result of manufacturingtolerances or changes in operating temperature, and CE 240 acts tomaintain the current through LEEs 230 substantially constant in the faceof these variations. In other words, in various embodiments the input tothe light sheet is a constant voltage that is applied to powerconductors 210, 220, and CEs 240 convert the constant voltage to aconstant or substantially constant current through LEEs 230. As will bedescribed herein, the design of CE 240 may be varied to providedifferent levels of control or variation of the current through LEEs230. In various embodiments, CEs 240 may control the current throughLEEs 230 to be substantially constant with a variation of less thanabout ±25%. In various embodiments, CEs 240 may control the currentthrough LEEs 230 to be substantially constant with a variation of lessthan about ±15%. In various embodiments, CEs 240 may control the currentthrough LEEs 230 to be substantially constant with a variation of lessthan about ±10%. In various embodiments, CEs 240 may control the currentthrough LEEs 230 to be substantially constant with a variation of lessthan about ±5%.

In various embodiments, as described herein, CEs 240 may, in response toa control signal, act to maintain a constant or substantially constantcurrent through LEEs 230 until instructed to change to a differentconstant or substantially constant current, for example by an externalcontrol signal. In various embodiments, as described herein, all CEs 240on a sheet may act in concert, that is maintain or change the currentthrough all associated LEEs 230; however, this is not a limitation ofthe present invention, and in other embodiments one or more CEs 240 maybe individually controlled and/or energized.

While FIG. 2A shows one exemplary circuit topology, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments othercircuit topologies may be utilized. For example, in various embodimentsthe circuit may not include any CEs 240. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, the electrical topology may include one or morecross-connecting elements, for example which may electrically coupleconductive elements in in separate strings, for example as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/378,880, filed on Dec. 16, 2011, andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/183,684, filed on Jul. 15, 2011, theentirety of each of which is incorporated by reference herein. FIGS. 2Dand 2E show two examples of such a cross-connection topology. In thecircuit shown in FIG. 2D, each LEE 230 is cross-connected with adjacentLEEs 230, while in FIG. 2E, only some of LEEs 230 are cross-connectedwith adjacent LEEs 230.

In various embodiments of the present invention, frame elements 120provide a rigid or semi-rigid support for light sheet 110. In variousembodiments, a frame element 120 may include or consist essentially of aplastic material, for example acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS), polyethylene, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or the like. Invarious embodiments, frame element 120 may include or consistessentially of one or more metals, such as aluminum, copper, or thelike, or silicone, wood or other materials. In various embodiments,frame element 120 may include or consist essentially of a combination ofmaterials.

In various embodiments of the present invention, frame elements 120provide a flexible support for light sheet 110. In various embodimentsof the present invention, frame elements 120 provide a positionablesupport for light sheet 110.

In various embodiments, light sheet 110 has one or more openings (or“holes”), for example along the edge of light sheet 110, that mate toframe element 120, and frame element 120 has one or more correspondinglocating pins over which the holes are positioned, to provide accurateand repeatable positioning of light sheet 110 in frame element 120. FIG.3 shows a schematic of one embodiment that features locating pins 310 onframe element 120 and locating holes 320 in light sheet 110. FIG. 3shows two light sheets, 110 and 110′. Light sheet 110 is positionedabove frame element 120 while light sheet 110′ is positioned on frameelement 120 such that locator pin 310 is at least partially insertedinto locating hole 320. FIG. 3 shows one additional aspect of variousembodiments of the present invention, in which a frame element 120 maybe used to couple two or more light sheets 110 together into a singlelighting system. While the structures shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C usepins and holes to align one or more light sheets 110 to one or moreframe elements 120, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments other techniques and/or structures may beutilized to align and/or hold light sheet 110 in frame element 120. Forexample, light sheet 110 may be aligned to frame element 120 usingalignment marks on light sheet 110 and/or frame element 120. In variousembodiments, light sheet 110 may be attached or fastened to frameelement 120 by other means, for example screws, nuts and bolts, tape,adhesive, glue, external clamps, magnets, heat stakes, or the like. Forexample, FIG. 4D shows a two-piece frame element 120 fastened to lightsheet 110 using a clamp or spring clamp 450. FIG. 4E shows anotherexample in which frame element 120 (having a hinge 430) is fastened tolight sheet 110 using an adhesive 460. In various embodiments, adhesive460 may include or consist essentially of glue, tape, double-sided tape,or the like. The method of attaching light sheet 110 to frame element120 is not a limitation of the present invention.

In various embodiments, frame element 120 has one or more hinges, suchthat the frame element 120 may be folded over and clamped to light sheet110. In various embodiments, the locating pins in frame element 120 mayact as a fastener that keeps (or helps keep) frame element 120 closedaround light sheet 110. FIGS. 4A and 4B show a schematic of oneembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows an unfolded frameelement 120 that includes or consists essentially of a hinge 430, alocating pin 410 (that is composed of two or more protrusions), and alocating hole 420. In the depicted embodiment, locating pin 410 isdesigned to be compressed before being inserted through locating hole420 and then to spring open to lock frame element 120 in the folded orclosed position, as shown in FIG. 4B. In various embodiments, locatingpin 410 may include or consist essentially of a snap hook instead of acompression element, as shown in FIGS. 5A (unfolded, or “open,”conformation) and 5B (folded, or “closed,” conformation). FIG. 4B showslight sheet 110 clamped into a folded frame element 120, where locatingpin 410 has been inserted through locating hole 320 in light sheet 110and through locating hole 420 in frame element 120. In variousembodiments, frame element 120 and/or light sheet 110 may include holesthat may be used for mounting frame element 120. FIG. 4C shows oneexample of such an embodiment, in which the light panel 100 has mountinghole 440 that goes through light sheet 110 and frame element 120. Asdescribed herein, mounting hole 440 includes or consists essentially ofmounting hole 441 in frame element 120 and mounting hole 442 in lightsheet 110. FIGS. 5C and 5D show schematic views of one embodiment offrame element 120 in the open and closed positions, respectively.

As described herein, light panel 100 may be designed to be cut tolength, for example between strings 250, such that at least one andoptionally both sections are operable after separation. In variousembodiments, light panel 100 includes locating pins 310 and/or locatingpins and holes 410, 420 and/or mounting holes 441, 442, to permitlocating, clamping, and/or mounting of light panel 100 after light panel100 (including or consisting substantially of one or more light sheets110 and one or more frame elements 120) has been cut or separated intoone or more portions. FIG. 6 shows a schematic of one embodiment showingtwo strings 250 and 250′ and a separation or cut region 620 on frameelement 120 and a separation or cut region 610 on light sheet 110. Asshown, the section including string 250 also includes mounting hole 440and locating pin/fastener 410, and the section including string 250′also includes mounting hole 440′ and locating pin/fastener 410′. Iflighting panel 100 is separated along cur regions 620 and 610, eachsection has its own mounting hole and locating pin/fastener. In variousembodiments, frame element 120 and light sheet 110 are designed tofacilitate separation of lighting panel 100, for example byincorporating identified separation lines or regions on frame element120 and/or light sheet 110. For example, in various embodimentsseparation line 610 may be formed on light sheet 110 by printing, or bya pattern in one or more conductive elements 260 and/or one or bothpower conductors 210, 220. In various embodiments, cut region 610 may befree of or substantially free of conductive elements 265. In variousembodiments, light sheet 110 may include a coating over all or portionsof substrate 265, power conductors 210, 220 and conductive elements 265and separation line 610 may be formed in the coating material, or by theabsence of the coating material in separation region 610. In variousembodiments, separation line 620 on frame element 120 may include orconsist essentially of markings on frame element 120, for example thatare formed in frame element 120 or printed on frame element 120. Invarious embodiments, separation line 620 may include or consistessentially of a region engineered to separate more easily than adjacentregions of frame element 120, for example by having a reduced thicknesscompared to adjacent regions of frame 120 and/or perforations definedtherein. In various embodiments, light panel 100 may be separated bycutting through frame element 120 in region 620 and light sheet 110 inregion 610, for example with a scissors or knife or other cuttingimplement. The means of separation of light panel 100 is not alimitation of the present invention.

In various embodiments, light panel 100 may be mounted (e.g., to amounting surface such as a wall, a ceiling, or a fixture), for exampleusing screws or nails or other fasteners that may be inserted throughmounting holes 440; however, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments light panel 100 may be mounted byother means, for example staples, tape, double-sided tape, magnets, ahook-and-loop fastener such as Velcro, or the like. In variousembodiments, frame element 120 may include or incorporate mountingelements, for example double-sided tape or barbed pins that may be usedto mount light panel 100 to a mounting surface.

In various embodiments, frame element 120 may be designed to have awidth less than one-half of the pitch between LEEs 230 in the directionbetween frame elements 120 of adjacent light panels 100, such that iftwo light panels 100 are positioned next to each other, the pitchbetween nearest neighbor LEEs 230 on adjacent light panels 100 may bethe same or substantially the same as the pitch between nearest neighborLEEs 230 on each light panel 100. FIG. 7A shows a schematic of oneexample of this embodiment, depicting two light panels 100 and 100′,each featuring frame elements 120 and light sheets 110. As shown, apitch 223 between LEEs 230 in the direction between frame elements isthe same on light panels 100 and 100′ as it is between LEEs 230 onadjacent light sheets 110 and separated by frame elements 120. Forexample, in various embodiments LEE pitch 223 may be about 30 mm andframe element 120 may have a width in the range of about 5 mm to about14 mm. In various embodiments, the width 710 of frame element 120 may beless than about 0.95×(pitch 223/2). In various embodiments, LEE pitch223 may be about 20 mm and frame width 710 may be in the range of about3 mm to about 9 mm.

FIG. 7B shows an example featuring four light panels 100 (one panel isencircled in a heavy dashed line), each panel 100 including two frameelements 120 on opposite sides of light sheet 110. As shown, pitch 223is the same on one sheet as it is across frame elements 120 on adjacentsheets. In this example LEE pitch 223 is about 30 mm and frame width 710is about 10 mm.

FIG. 7B shows an additional feature that may be incorporated in variousembodiments of the present invention, identified as connector 720.Connector 720 may be utilized to join together two frame elements 120.In various embodiments, connector 720 may be designed such that pitch225 is the same between nearest-neighbor LEEs 230 on adjacent lightsheets 110 as it is on a single light sheet 110. In various embodiments,connector 720 may include or consist essentially of a portion of frameelement 120 that extends beyond the length of light sheet 110 andincludes a mechanism for attaching to an adjacent frame element 120. Forexample in various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7C, connector 720′ mayinclude a locating hole 730′ in frame element 120′ and that fits over alocating pin 740 on an adjacent frame element 120. In variousembodiments, there may be a corresponding section 720 on the other endof frame element 120 (i.e., away from connector 720′, not shown in FIG.7C). Locating hole 730′ and locating pin 740 are preferably positionedsuch that pitch 225 between LEEs in the direction along frame elements120, 120′ is the same between light panels 100 as on an individual lightpanel 100, irrespective of the interface between the light panels 100.In various embodiments, locating pin 740 may also be used to positionlight sheet 110, similar to the approach discussed in reference to FIG.3 . In various embodiments, connector 720 may include a conventionalelectrical connector, such as a pin and jack system, where adjacentlight sheets 120 are electrically coupled through the electricalconnector. For example, a frame element may feature a connectorelectrically coupled to a power conductor on the light sheet, and theconnector may be electrically coupled to a corresponding connector on anadjacent frame element. In various embodiments, the electricalconnectors (or electrical portions of the connector) may mate directly,while in other embodiments a jumper wire may be used to electricallycouple the two connectors. In various embodiments, such a system may beemployed to electrically couple two or more light panels that are spacedapart from each other.

In various embodiments, the system shown in FIG. 7B includes frameelements 120 that, when attached to light sheet 110, have a width 710 ofabout 10 mm. In this example light sheet 110 has a square shape with aside length of about 300 mm. LEEs 230 have a pitch 223 of about 33 mmand a pitch 225 of about 30 mm. In this example connector 720 has alength beyond light sheet 110 in the range of about 5 mm to about 30 mm.These dimensions are exemplary and not limitations of the presentinvention.

The ability to tile light panels 100 in multiple directions provides asystem that may be utilized to make arbitrarily large assemblies havinguniform illuminance with no relatively darker areas in the joint regionsbetween adjacent panels.

While the systems described in reference to FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C pertain torectilinear light panels, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments other light panel shapes may beused. For example FIG. 7D shows a light panel system incorporatingtriangular light panels, FIG. 7E shows a system incorporatingdiamond-shaped light panels, and FIG. 7F shows a system incorporatinghexagonal light panels. The shapes depicted in FIGS. 7D-7F are meant tobe exemplary and are not limitations of the present invention.

In various embodiments, frame elements 120 provide support for lightsheets 110 and a means for providing electrical connections to lightsheet 110, for example to provide power to power conductors 210, 220. Invarious embodiments, frame elements 120 enable electrical coupling ofone or more control signals, for example to dim or change the intensityof one or more LEEs 230 on light sheet 110, or to change the color oflight emitted by LEEs 230, to light sheet 110.

FIG. 8A shows one embodiment of a frame element 120 that incorporates aninsulation-displacement connector (IDC) 810 that is electrically coupledto one of power conductors 210, 220 on light sheet 110. (As utilizedherein, an IDC is an electrical connector designed to be connected tothe conductor(s) of an insulated wire or cable by a connection processthat forces a selectively sharpened blade or blades (or other cutting orpiercing element) through the insulation, bypassing the need to stripthe wire of insulation before connecting.) Note that FIG. 8A shows twoadjacent light panels. IDC 810 is formed or disposed into a hole inframe element 120, permitting access to it when light sheet 110 isattached to frame element 120. A wire 830, preferably an insulated wire,is inserted in IDC 810, which then provides electrical connection topower conductors 210, 220 on light sheet 110. FIG. 8B shows across-sectional schematic of such a structure, including a bottomportion 120B of the frame element, a top portion 120T of the frameelement, and a hole 820 through which IDC 810 is inserted. IDC 810 iselectrically coupled to power conductor 210, for example using solder,conductive adhesive, anisotropic conductive adhesive, or the like. Powerconductor 210 is disposed on substrate 265. Referring back to FIG. 8A,after frame 120 is attached to light sheet 110, wire 830 is insertedinto IDC 810 to electrically couple wire 830 to the underlyingconductive element (not shown in FIG. 8A, and in FIG. 8B is exemplifiedby power conductor 210). Optional cap 840 may be used to aid ininsertion of wire 830 into IDC 810 and/or to provide a protective coverover IDC 810. Optional guide elements 850 may be utilized to hold wire830 into place on frame element 120. FIG. 8A also shows mounting holes440. In the depicted embodiment, frame element 120 is installedsubstantially parallel to and over power conductors 210, 220 on lightsheet 110.

FIG. 8C shows a schematic of a lighting system incorporating four lightpanels 100. The lighting system is powered by a driver 860, which iselectrically coupled to light panels 100 through wires 830 and 830′. Invarious embodiments, this and similar arrangements permit the assemblyof very large lighting systems without the need for the power conductors210, 220 to have sufficient conductivity to support the entire assembly,because wires 830, 830′ have relatively larger conductivity and providea low resistance shunt to power conductors 210, 220. In variousembodiments, for example where it may be desirable to separate the lightpanel into smaller sections (e.g., in reference to FIG. 6 ), severalIDCs 810 may be incorporated on light sheet 110 to permit separationinto two or more portions, each of which has an IDC 810. In variousembodiments, one or more electrical conductors may be incorporated intoframe element 120. For example, in various embodiments, frame element120 features a conductive element 910 that is attached to or embedded orpartially embedded into frame element 120, as shown in FIG. 9A. Frameelement 120 is clamped onto light sheet 110, forming an electrical andmechanical connection between conductive element 910 and power conductor210. In various embodiments, conductive element 910 may be mounted on asurface of frame element 120, as shown in FIG. 9B. In variousembodiments, conductive element 910 includes or consists essentially ofone or more electrically conductive materials such as metals such asaluminum, copper, silver, gold, or the like. In various embodiments,conductive element 910 may include or consist essentially of a metalfoil or metal strip. In various embodiments, conductive element 910includes an electrically conductive tape, for example one that isconductive in both the lateral and z (i.e., through-thickness)directions, such that a low-resistance pathway forms between powerconductor 210 and conductive element 910 and conductive element 910forms a low-resistance pathway in parallel with power conductor 210. Invarious embodiments, conductive element 910 includes or consistsessentially of a combination of materials, for example a metal layerover which is disposed a conductive adhesive or a conductive tape. Invarious embodiments, IDC 810 may be replaced by a pin or a barbed pinthat mates with a corresponding connector or pierces a conductiveelement 910 mounted in frame element 120.

Electrical connection between adjacent light panels 100 and betweenlight panels 100 and one or more power supplies or drivers may be formedthrough frame elements 120. In various embodiments, magnets of theappropriate polarity may be mounted or formed within or at the ends offrame elements 120, such that each frame may be mechanically andelectrically connected through the magnets, for example as shown in FIG.10A. In FIG. 10A, the opposing faces of magnets 1010 and 1020 haveopposite polarities, so that the light panels may only be connected inone way. In various embodiments, this prevents incorrect connection ofmultiple light panels 100.

In various embodiments, frame element 120 may include one or moreconnectors or mechanisms for electrical coupling. In variousembodiments, conductive elements such as conductive elements 910, asshown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, may be used to electrically couple two frames.FIG. 10B shows one example featuring the joining of frames 120 and 120′.In this example, the top portion 120T of frame element 120 andconductive element 910 extend beyond the end of substrate 265. In thesecond frame, the bottom portion 120B′ of frame element 120′ andconductive element 910′ extend beyond the edge of substrate 265′.Conductive elements 910 and 910′ are electrically coupled through aconductive element 1030, which may be, for example, a metallic conductoror a conductive adhesive, conductive glue, or conductive tape. FIG. 10Bshows one embodiment of electrically coupling light panels 100; however,this specific method is not a limitation of the present invention, andin other embodiments other methods of electrically coupling light panels100 may be employed.

In various embodiments, wires may be soldered or otherwise electricallycoupled to power conductors 210, 220, and multiple light panels 100 maybe electrically coupled through standard wiring techniques, for exampleusing connectors, wire nuts, soldering, or the like. For example, invarious embodiments connectors may be formed on frame elements 120 andelectrically conductive jumpers may be used to electrically coupleadjacent light panels 100. While much of the discussion herein has beenrelated to lighting systems in which the light panels are butted up nextto each other, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and inother embodiments one or more light panels in a system may be spacedapart from the others. In such embodiments, relatively longer jumpersmay be used to connect the light panels together.

In various embodiments, a frame element 120 may include more than oneconductive element 910. For example, conductive elements in frameelement 120 may be used, in addition to powering light panel 100, toprovide communication and control signals to and from light panel 100.In various embodiments, conductive elements in or on frame 120 may beused to provide electrical crossovers, i.e., to permit additionalcircuitry complexity while still using only one layer of conductiveelements 260 on substrate 265. For example, FIG. 11A shows an electricalschematic of a system having two different LEEs 230, 230′. In variousembodiments, LEE 230 may have a different color than LEE 230′, or adifferent intensity, or a different light distribution pattern, or adifference in any other electrical and/or optical property. In variousembodiments, LEEs 230 and 230′ may both emit white light, but withdifferent color temperatures, and the color temperature of the lightpanel may be adjusted by changing the light intensity emitted by stringswith different color-temperature LEEs. For example in variousembodiments LEEs 230 may have a correlated color temperature (CCT) ofabout 2000K and LEEs 230′ may have a CCT of about 10,000K, and the CCTof the ensemble may be varied between about 2000K and about 10,000K byvarying the power delivered to strings having LEEs 230 and 230′. Invarious embodiments, LEEs 230 may have a CCT of about 2700K and LEEs230′ may have a CCT of about 6000K, and the CCT of the ensemble may bevaried between about 2700K and about 6000K by varying the powerdelivered to strings having LEEs 230 and 230′.

In various embodiments, the lighting system is driven by a substantiallyconstant voltage supply that is pulse-width modulated, that is thevoltage is kept substantially the same during the “on” phase and thelight intensity is varied by changing the duty cycle, or the ratio of“on” to “off” time of the power signal. The circuit of FIG. 11A requiresthe power to the two different types of strings to be modulatedseparately, and thus requires three, or perhaps four (if separatereturns are required) conductors. As shown in the schematic of FIG. 11A,this may require an electrical cross-over. While light sheets withmultiple conductive layers may be manufactured, these are relativelymore expensive. In various embodiments of the present invention,conductive elements within frame element 120 may form one or moreelectrical cross-overs, permitting circuits such as that shown in FIG.11A to be realized with a light sheet with only one conductive layer.

FIG. 11B shows one example of a pattern of power conductor traces forpower conductors 220 and 220′, that, combined with the frame element ofFIG. 11C, permit realization of circuits requiring crossovers with alight sheet having a single conductive layer. FIG. 11B shows a portionof a light sheet, including substrate 265 on which power conductors 220and 220′ as well as conductive elements 260 have been formed. Conductiveelements 260 electrically couple LEEs 230, such that LEEs 230′ areelectrically coupled to power conductor 220′ and LEEs 230 areelectrically coupled to power conductor 220. However, as shown in FIG.11B, power conductor 220 is discontinuous and requires a crossover in aregion 1100 to form a complete circuit. FIG. 11C shows a cross-sectionof the structure of FIG. 11B through cut-line A-A′. As shown in FIG.11C, conductive element 910 associated with power conductor 220 in topframe 120T is formed such that it does not electrically couple withpower conductor 220′. In various embodiments, this may be achieved byspacing conductive element 910 apart from power conductor 220′, while inother embodiments an insulating layer, for example plastic or insulatingtape or paper may be positioned between power conductor 220′ andconductive element 910. Not shown in FIG. 11C is conductive element910′, which is associated with power conductor 220′, in top frameelement 120T. FIG. 11D shows a plan view of the inside of top frameelement 120T, showing both conductive elements 910 and 910′, whereconductive element 910 has region 1100 that is designed to preventelectrical coupling to the underlying portion of power conductor 220′.

While FIGS. 11A-11D show a system having one level of cross-over, thisis not a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentsmore than one level of cross-over may be utilized. In variousembodiments, two levels may be utilized, with a light panel having twoframe elements, with each frame element having one level of cross-over.In various embodiments, more than one level of cross-over may beutilized in a single frame element 120. It should be noted that thesystem shown in FIG. 11B has three LEEs 230 in each string; however,this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments more LEEs may be utilized in each string. While FIG. 11Cshows one form of cross-over, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments other types of cross-overs may beformed. For example, cross-overs may be formed using any of theapproaches described herein for electrically coupling multiple frameelements together.

In various embodiments, additional elements may be added to frameelement 120 to provide added functionality. For example, in variousembodiments frame element 120 may include one or more spacers 1210 tospace light panel 100 away from a mounting surface 1220, as shown inFIG. 12A. In various embodiments, frame element 120 may include spacersto aid in maintaining a specific gap between the light sheet and anoverlying optic, diffuser or translucent panel, and/or graphic panel1240. (Herein, a “graphic panel” is a panel overlying a lighting systemthat includes therein or thereon a pattern (e.g., words, images,graphics, etc.) for display when illuminated by the lighting system.) Invarious embodiments, such spacers may be fixed spacers 1230, as shown inFIG. 12B, or they may be adjustable spacers 1250, for example as shownin FIG. 12C where the spacers 1250 screw into the frame element 120,thereby controlling the offset distance. In various embodiments,diffuser 1240 may be positioned along the shaft of spacer 1250, forexample by using clamps, a threaded shaft and bolts, or by other means.In various embodiments, frame element 120 may include a track or slot1260 to hold one or more overlying panels or diffusers, as shown in FIG.12D.

While FIGS. 12B-12D show one or more spacers 1230 attached to (or partof) frame element 120, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments one or more spacers 1230 may bedisposed on light sheet 110, for example on light sheet 110 between LEEs230. In various embodiments, spacers 1230 may be positioned, shaped, orconstructed of one or more materials to minimize the impact of thespacer on the spatial and/or spectral light distribution. For example,in various embodiments of the present invention, a spacer or a portionof a spacer may include or consist essentially of a transparentmaterial. In various embodiments, a spacer or a portion of a spacer maybe reflective to a wavelength of light emitted by LEEs 230. For example,the spacer (or portion thereof) may have a reflectance greater than 75%to a wavelength of light emitted by LEEs 230. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, a spacer or a portion of the spacer may havespecular reflectance or a diffuse reflectance. In various embodiments, aspacer or a portion of a spacer may have a white surface or be coatedwith a white material having a diffuse reflectance to a wavelength oflight emitted by LEEs 230. In various embodiments, a portion of theconductive trace material may be removed from the substrate in one ormore spacer regions, for example to aid in positioning of the spacer. Invarious embodiments, a portion of the substrate material may be removedin one or more spacer regions, for example to facilitate the mounting ofthe spacer to the underlying support structure.

In various embodiments, light sheets may be electrically connectedtogether through an array of conductive elements mounted over themounting surface. FIG. 13A shows an example of such a system thatincludes or consists of power elements 1310 and 1320 to which one ormore light sheets 110 may be electrically coupled and mechanicallyattached. Power elements 1310 and 1320 may be metallic conductors, forexample wires, bare wires, or bus bars, that are mounted on the mountingsurface. In this approach, the layout of power elements 1310 and 1320 inpart determines the position of light sheets 100, i.e., they determinethe position in one direction, while the position in the orthogonaldirection may be varied by moving the light sheet along the powerelements. As shown in FIG. 13A, light sheets 110 may be spaced apart;however, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments they may be butted together to maintain LEE 230 pitchbetween adjacent light sheets 110. In various embodiments, light sheet110 may be electrically and mechanically coupled to power elements 1310,1320 by a clamp mechanism, for example a clamp 1340, as shown in FIG.13B. Other methods for electrically coupling and mechanically attachinglight sheet 110 to power elements 1310, 1320 include conductive tape,adhesive, screws, rivets, or the like. In various embodiments, a frameelement may be combined with this approach to permit attachment andelectrical coupling of the light panel to the power elements by anattachment in frame element 120. One aspect of this approach is thatlength adjustment of light sheet 110 may be accomplished by cutting thelight sheet itself and mounting it to power elements that have beenpreviously fabricated to the desired length. In various embodiments, thefeatures described with respect to FIGS. 12A-12D may be incorporatedinto this embodiment featuring an array of power lines. In variousembodiments, one or more signal or control lines may also beincorporated to provide a means for control and communication to one ormore light panels or light sheets, or signals may be incorporated ormodulated on the power supply lines.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a lighting system of the present invention,including power supply or driver 860 and four light panels 100. Whilefour light panels are shown in FIG. 14 , this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments fewer or more light panelsmay be incorporated. In some embodiments, a system may include more than20 light panels or more than 100 light panels. In various embodiments,wires 830 and 830′ may be connected to the same edge of light panel 100,as shown in FIG. 14 , in contrast to the wiring schematic shown in FIG.8C. In the system of FIG. 14 , each light panel 100 includes powerconductors 210, 220. Power conductors 210 are electrically coupled towire 830, while power conductors 220 are electrically coupled to wire830. In this way, the array of light panels 100 may be energized fromonly one side of the array. (Not shown in FIG. 14 for clarity, butdiscussed herein, are optional frame 120 and electrical connectionsbetween power conductors 210, 220 on adjacent sheets.)

In various embodiments, driver 860 is a substantially constant voltagesupply, the output of which is pulse-width modulated to permit dimmingof LEEs 230 on light panels 100. In various embodiments, the lightingsystem is a UL class 2 system having an operating voltage not exceeding60 V.

In various embodiments, light panel 100 is square, having a sidedimension in the range of about 10 cm to about 100 cm. In variousembodiments, LEE pitches 223 and 225 are each in the range of about 5 mmto about 50 mm.

While frame elements 120 in FIGS. 5A-5D, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8C have beendepicted as straight or substantially straight, this is not a limitationof the present invention, and in other embodiments frame elements mayhave more than one straight portions, as shown in FIG. 15A, or may becurved, as shown in FIG. 15B, or may include straight or curvedelements, as shown in FIG. 15C. The shape or geometry of frame element120 is not a limitation of the present invention. For example, thestructure shown in FIG. 15B may be used to form a free-standing orpartially free-standing light panel structure as shown in FIG. 15D, ormay be mounted to a shaped surface having substantially the same shapeas the shaped light panel, as shown in FIG. 15E. In various embodiments,structures such as those shown in FIGS. 15D and 15E may also be formedusing flexible or semi-rigid light panels.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the light panel may bepositionable. In such embodiments, the light panel may be flexible, butwhen deformed, it retains the deformed position, or substantially thedeformed position, after the deforming force is removed. Suchembodiments may also be used to form structures such as those shown inFIGS. 15A-15E. In various embodiments, a positionable frame element 110may include or consist essentially of a flexible material combined witha deformable but relatively inflexible material, such as a wire. FIG. 16depicts a cross-section of an exemplary positionable frame elementincluding a flexible body 1610 surrounding a wire or positionableelement 1620; however, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments other means may be utilized toconstruct a positionable frame element or a positionable light panel.

In various embodiments of the present invention, light panel 100 may bewater-resistant or waterproof. In various embodiments, light panel 100may meet IP65, IP66, IP67, or IP68 environmental ratings. (One methodfor rating different levels of environmental protection is an IP ratingas specified by International Protection Marking in InternationalElectrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard 60529, providingclassification of degrees of protection provided by enclosures forelectrical equipment, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein. In general for an IP XY rating, “X” indicates thelevel of protection for access to electrical parts and ingress to solidforeign objects, while “Y” indicates the level of protection for ingressof harmful water. For example, an IP44 rating provides access andingress protection for objects greater than about 1 mm and protectionfrom water splashing on the system. In another example, an IP66 ratingprovides a dust-tight enclosure and protection from water jets incidenton the system. Specific details of the requirements and test method aredetailed within the IP specification.) In various embodiments, lightsheet 110 may be encased or encapsulated in a waterproof orsubstantially waterproof coating, for example including or consistingessentially of silicone, polyurethane, or the like, as detailed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/301,859, filed on Jun. 11, 2014, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Invarious embodiments, the coating may be a conformal coating, for examplehaving a thickness in the range of about 20 μm to about 1000 μm. Invarious embodiments, light sheet 110 may be potted, encased orencapsulated in a layer of waterproof or substantially waterproofmaterial, for example silicone or polyurethane or the like.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a lighting system mayinclude or consist essentially of multiple light panels 100, as shown inFIG. 17A. FIG. 17A shows six light panels 100, arranged in a 2×3 array;however, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments other array geometries or layouts may be used. For example,light panels 100 in FIG. 17A are tiled together such that the edges ofadjacent light panels 100 meet or are relatively close together, forexample such that the LEE pitch between two adjacent light panels 100(that is the LEE pitch that spans across the edges of two adjacent lightpanels 100) is the same or substantially the same as the LEE pitchwithin a single light panel 100. However, this is not a limitation ofthe present invention, and in other embodiments light panels 100 may bespaced apart, for example in a substantially regular pattern, forexample as shown in FIG. 17B or in an arbitrary pattern, for example asshown in FIG. 17C. Electrical connections between light panels 100 arenot shown for clarity in FIGS. 17A-17C. While FIGS. 17A-17C depict lightpanels 100, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and inother embodiments similar configurations may be formed using lightsheets 110.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the means forelectrical coupling to or between light panels 100 or light sheets 110may include or consist essentially of a vertical connector, in which theconnection mechanism is activated or deactivated by movement of at leastone connector component in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe surface of the light panel in the region of the connector. FIG. 18Ashows one embodiment of a vertical connector that includes or consistsessentially of a pin 1810 that mates with a socket 1820. In variousembodiments of the present invention, pin 1810 is electrically coupledand/or mounted on conductive trace 210. Wire 1830 is electricallycoupled to socket 1820 and may be used to provide electrical coupling(i.e., provide electrical power and/or communication and/or controlsignals) through socket 1820 and pin 1810 to one or more conductivetraces 210 disposed over substrate 265. FIG. 18B shows anotherembodiment of the present invention in which the vertical socket 1820fits over pin 1810 and a portion of pin 1810 protrudes through and isvisible over the socket 1820 when the socket 1820 is in place. Suchconnectors may include, for example the 400 series connectors availablefrom Bender & Wirth GmbH & Co of Kierspe, Germany.

FIG. 18C shows another embodiment of the present invention that featuresa snap connector including or consisting essentially of at least twoparts, identified in FIG. 18C as a button 1840 and a button socket 1850.Button 1840 and button socket 1850 are shown as disengaged in FIG. 18Cand engaged in FIG. 18D. In some embodiments of the present invention,button 1840 is electrically coupled and/or mounted on a conductive trace210. As with the vertical connector shown in FIG. 18A, button socket1850 may be electrically coupled to one or more wires 1830. In variousembodiments, light panels may be electrically coupled by a jumper 1860between two connectors, as shown in FIG. 18D.

In various embodiments of the present invention, button socket 1850 maybe mounted on or to one light sheet 110, and button 1840 may be mountedon or to a second light sheet 110′, permitting direct connection betweentwo light panels, as shown in FIG. 18E. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, button 1840 and button socket 1850 may be formed onopposite sides of the two light sheets, for example either the button1840 or button socket 1850 may be mounted on the front surface of onelight sheet while the mating connector may be mounted on the backsurface of a second light sheet. For example, in the structure shown inFIG. 18E, button 1840 is mounted on the front side of light sheet 110and button socket 1850 is mounted on the back side of light sheet 110′.As shown in FIG. 18E, a via 1860 electrically couples button socket 1850to conductive trace 210′ through substrate 265′. In various embodimentsof the present invention, via 1860 may include or consist essentially ofa rivet, a staple, a crimp or piercing connector, or the like. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, button 1840 and buttonsocket 1850 may be formed on the same side of the light sheet; forexample, as shown in FIG. 18F, button 1840 and button socket 1850 areformed on the same side (e.g., front side) of light sheets 110 and 110′,and a portion of light panel 110′ is folded over to facilitateconnection of button socket 1850 to button 1840.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the snap connector mayinclude or consist essentially of a 9V battery connector. 9V batteryconnectors have male and female components, as shown in FIGS. 18G and18H respectively.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the snap connectors maybe electrically coupled to conductive trace 210 and/or mechanicallycoupled to conductive trace 210 and/or substrate 265 using a variety ofmeans, for example solder, conductive adhesive, anisotropic conductiveadhesive, eyelets, rivets, crimp connectors, piercing connectors, or thelike. The method of attachment of the snap connectors to a light sheetor light panel is not a limitation of the present invention.

FIG. 19A shows one embodiment of a light sheet 110 that features LEEs230 and connectors 1910, 1910′, 1920, and 1920′ disposed on substrate265. Conductive traces providing electrical coupling between LEEs 230and current control elements and power conductors 1960 and 1970 are notshown for clarity in FIG. 19A. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, connectors 1910, 1910′, 1920, and 1920′ may include, consistessentially of, or consist of vertical connectors or snap connectors;however, this is not a limitation of the present invention and in otherembodiments other forms of connectors may be used. In variousembodiments of the present invention, connectors 1910 and 1910′ mayinclude or consist essentially of female 9V battery connectors as shownin FIG. 18H, and connectors 1920 and 1920′ may include or consistessentially of male 9V battery connectors as shown in FIG. 18G. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 19A, the connectors are all disposed on thesame side of light sheet 110; however, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments various connectors may beformed on different sides of light sheet 110, for example as discussedin reference to FIG. 18E.

In various embodiments, the connectors may be used to provide power tothe light sheet. For example, in various embodiments of the presentinvention, power to light sheet 110 may be provided through connectors1910′ and 1920′. For example, in various embodiments, connector 1910′may be used for the positive power supply connection and connector 1920′may be used for the negative or ground power supply connection; however,this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments other configurations for powering the light sheet may beutilized.

In various embodiments of the present invention, for example as shown inFIG. 19A, connectors 1920′ and 1910 may be electrically coupled togetherby an electrical trace 1960 (shown in FIG. 19A as a dashed line), andconnectors 1910′ and 1920 may be electrically coupled together by aconductive trace 1970 (shown in FIG. 19A as a dashed line). In variousembodiments of the present invention, multiple light sheets 110 may beelectrically coupled together, for example by connecting connector 1910on a first light sheet to connector 1920′ on a second light sheet and byconnecting connector 1920 on a first light sheet to connector 1910′ on asecond light sheet.

In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more connectorsmay be positioned on a tab extending out from the main portion of thelight sheet, for example tab 1930 as shown in FIG. 19A. In variousembodiments of the present invention, a portion of tab 1930 may befolded over (see, e.g., folded portion 1931 in FIG. 19B), for example asdiscussed in reference to FIG. 18F, to facilitate connection to anotherlight sheet. FIG. 19B shows a schematic of a portion of a tab 1930containing connector 1920 disposed on a partially folded-over portion1931, while FIG. 19C shows a schematic of a portion of tab 1930containing connector 1920 in a completely or substantially completelyfolded-over position. In various embodiments of the present invention,the folded-over portion may be held in place by an adhesive, glue, tapeor the like, for example adhesive 1980 in FIG. 19B. In variousembodiments of the present invention, a portion of connector 1920 mayextend through a portion of folded portion 1931 or portions of both tab1930 and folded portion 1931. FIG. 19D shows an example of an embodimentof the present invention featuring light sheet 110 having a tab 1930with a portion 1931 folded over prior to the connector being disposed onthe sheet. In this example, the connector includes or consistsessentially of two parts, identified as a back connector part 1921 and afront connector part 1922, which are mated through a hole 1923. In thisexample, hole 1923 is formed through both tab 1930 and the folded overportion of tab 1931 prior to completing formation of the connector.However, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments, one or both of back connector part 1921 and front connectorpart 1922 may pierce or otherwise form a hole in tab 1930 and/or foldedportion of the tab 1931 during placement of the connector. In theexample shown in FIG. 19D, mating of back connector part 1921 and frontconnector part 1922 may include mechanically bringing the two partstogether and deforming a portion of one or both connector parts to bindthe two portions together. The structure of the connector and/or themethod of forming a connector from two or more connector parts are notlimitations of the present invention.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a folded portion 1990of the light sheet may be folded over, for example as shown in FIG. 19E.In various embodiments, all or a portion of power conductor 210 or 220,for example as shown in FIG. 2C, may be disposed on or in the foldedportion 1990. In various embodiments, the placement of all or a portionof power conductor 210 or 220 on folded portion 1990 may be used todecrease the resistance per unit length of the power conductor, for agiven width light sheet, by increasing the effective width of powerconductor 210 or 220. As shown in FIG. 19E, light sheet 100 has a width1992, not including folded portions 1990. Folded portions 1990 each havea width 1997. FIG. 19F shows a detailed schematic of a portion of lightsheet 110, showing a comparison of light sheet 110 with and without afolded portion 1990. Light sheet 110 without folded portion 1990 haspower conductor 210 having a width 1994. Light sheet 110 with foldedportion 1990 has power conductor 210′ having an additional width 1996,for a total width equal to the sum of width 1994 and width 1996. For apower conductor 210 having a substantially constant thickness andresistivity, the resistance per unit length is inversely proportional tothe width of power conductor 210. For the example shown in FIG. 19E, theconductance of power conductor 210′ (including portions 1994 and 1996)is (1994+1996)/1994 times that of power conductor 210 (having width1994). In various embodiments of the present invention, folded portion1990 may have a width 1996 in the range of about 2 mm to about 50 mm. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, power conductor 210 mayhave a width of 1994 of about 3 mm and power conductor 210′ may have awidth (1994+1996) of about 9 mm, resulting in power conductor 210′having a resistance about 3× lower than that of power conductor 210. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, power conductor 210′ mayhave a resistance in the range of about 1.5 to about 10 times lower thanthat of power conductor 210. While FIG. 19F shows one folded portion1990, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments light sheet 110 may have multiple folded portions. Forexample FIG. 19G shows light sheet 110 having two folded portions 1990and 1990′. However, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments light sheet 110 may have more than two foldedportions. While FIG. 19G shows the folds in a fan-fold configuration,this is not a limitation of the present invention and in otherembodiments the folding configuration may be different. For example invarious embodiments the folds may be rolled-over or folded over, asshown in FIG. 19I, or may have other fold configurations or combinationsof configurations. In various embodiments, the folded portions or partsof the folded portions may be adhered or fastened to each other or tothe unfolded part of the light sheet, for example using glue, adhesive,tape, lamination, staples, rivets, or the like.

In various embodiments of the present invention, light sheets 110 havingfolded portions 1990 may be combined with frame elements, for exampleframe elements 120, 120′. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, folded portion 1990 of light sheet 110 may be folded orwrapped around a portion of frame element 120 or 120′ as shown in FIG.19H; however, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and inother embodiments folded portion 1990 of light sheet 110 may be disposedunder or over frame element 120, 120′, or light sheet 110 with one ormore folded portions 1990 may be utilized without any frame elements.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a portion of lightsheet 110 may be adhered or attached to frame 120 or to a portion offrame 120, for example using adhesive, glue, tape, double-sided tape, orthe like. For example, in various embodiments a portion of light sheet110 may be adhered to a portion of frame 120, for example all,substantially all or a portion of the top and/or the bottom and/or thesides of frame 120 may be adhered to light sheet 110. In variousembodiments of the present invention, a lighting system may include orconsist essentially of an assemblage of multiple light sheets 110 and/orlight panels 100 and an associated connector system. In variousembodiments of the present invention, the connector system utilizes thesame type of connectors, or snap connectors or 9V battery connectorsthat are used on light sheets 110 and/or light panels 100.

While FIG. 19F shows portions 1994 and 1996 having the same orsubstantially the same shape, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments they may have different shapes. Forexample, FIG. 19J shows an example of an embodiment of the presentinvention in which portion 1994 has a different shape than that ofportion 1996. While FIG. 19F shows portions 1994 and 1996 as onecontiguous area, this is not a limitation of the present invention, andin other embodiments portions 1994 and 1996 may have one or more spacesbetween them or gaps 1997 (areas not containing the electricallyconductive trace material) in them, for example as shown in FIGS. 19Kand 19L.

In various embodiments the light panel, for example as shownschematically in FIGS. 1A, 2B, 19H, and other figures herein, may have athickness in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 20 mm, or in the rangeof about 0.4 mm to about 5 mm.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show two types of light sheets or light panels 2010and 2020, respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. Panel 2010 has tabs 1930, each of which has a connectordisposed thereon. Panel 2020 does not have tabs 1930, and the connectorsare disposed on the main panel body of the light panel or light sheet(e.g., near the periphery and/or corners of the panel or sheet). In thisembodiment of the present invention, the connector system includes orconsists essentially of two mating connectors 2030 and 2040. (Physicallysimilar or identical connectors, but formed in different locations onthe light sheet or light panel are identified by one or moreapostrophes, for example 2030 and 2030′ are the same physical type ofconnector, but disposed in different locations on the light sheet orlight panel.) Connectors 2030 and 2040 mate to each other and in someembodiments of the present invention are polarized (e.g., one connectoris male and the other is female) to prevent misconnection of the lightpanels or light sheets. However, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments connectors 2030 and 2040 may not bepolarized. In the schematics of FIGS. 20A-20C, connectors 2030 areidentified by the grey filled-in circles, and connectors 2040 areidentified by the white filled-in circles. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, when multiple light sheets or light panels areconnected, connector 2040 is electrically coupled to connector 2030′ andconnector 2030 is electrically coupled to connector 2040′, for exampleas discussed in reference to FIG. 19A. This permits multiple lightpanels or light sheets to be electrically coupled through theseconnectors, for example as discussed in reference to FIG. 20C below.

In various embodiments of the present invention, other connectorconfigurations may be utilized, for example a portion of one sheet mayoverlap a portion of an adjacent sheet to permit alignment and mating ofthe electrical connectors. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, the electrical connectors may be mated by coupling in adirection parallel to or substantially parallel to the surface of thelight sheet.

FIG. 20C shows an embodiment of a lighting system of the presentinvention that is partially assembled, and that includes or consistsessentially of three panels 2010, 2010′, and 2010″ and one panel 2020.Panels 2010′ and 2010″ have been electrically coupled together. Panel2010 is awaiting assembly, which is completed by connecting connector2040′ on panel 2010 to connector 2030′ on panel 2010′ and connectingconnector 2030 on panel 2010 to connector 2040 on panel 2010′. Panel2020 is awaiting assembly into the lighting system, which is completedusing jumpers 2050, 2050′ (jumper 2050′ has already been connected) byconnecting connector 2030′″ on jumper 2050 to connector 2040″ on panel2010″ and connecting connector 2040′″ on jumper 2050 to connector 2030″on panel 2020. Jumper 2050 may have any length and may be straight, asshown in FIG. 20C, or may be curved or have any shape. While jumper 2050is shown in FIG. 20C as connecting a 2010-type panel to a 2020-typepanel, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments one or more jumpers 2050 may connect two 2010-type panels(i.e., panels having one or more protruding tabs) or two 2020-typepanels (i.e., panels lacking protruding tabs) or any other style orconfiguration of panels. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, the connectors on the left side (top and bottom) of eachlight sheet or light panel are electrically coupled together and theconnectors on the right side (top and bottom) of each light sheet orlight panel are electrically coupled together, permitting multiple lightsheets or light panels to be powered by connection from one end of thearray of light panels or light sheets (i.e., from one end of theassembled lighting system). The order of assembly of the components withreference to FIG. 20C (including but not limited to light sheets, lightpanels, and jumpers) is one example of how these components may beassembled. In other embodiments of the present invention, the assemblyorder may be different and/or other components may be utilized.

In various embodiments of the present invention, jumper 2050 may beconstructed in a similar fashion to the light panel, while in otherembodiments, jumper 2050 may have a different construction from that ofthe light panel. In various embodiments of the present invention, jumper2050 may include or consist essentially of one or more wires or wireharnesses with connectors. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, jumper 2050 may include or consist essentially of a flexiblesubstrate having conductive traces disposed on the substrate andconnectors electrically coupled to the conductive traces (i.e., in thestyle of light sheets as described herein).

In various embodiments of the present invention, a light sheet or lightpanel may have one or more connector wires directly attached to one ormore power conductors or other conductive elements. In such embodiments,the other end of the wire (the end not electrically coupled to a portionof the light sheet or light panel) may be a flying lead, i.e., just thewire, or may be terminated with a connector, or may be integrated into awiring harness, or may be contacted by other means.

In various embodiments of the present invention, jumpers may be used toelectrically couple one or more light panels or light sheets to a powerbus or power supply. FIG. 21A shows a lighting system including orconsisting essentially of nine light panels or light sheets 2010. Thenine light panels have been connected into three vertically orientedgroups of three panels each, and the system is ready for connection to apower supply. While the system of FIG. 21A shows a lighting systemincluding or consisting essentially of nine light sheets or lightpanels, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments the lighting system may have fewer or more light sheets orlight panels.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a power bus or powerwiring harness 2110 may include or consist essentially of one or morepower conductors, for example power conductors 2120 and 2130, and one ormore connectors, for example connectors 2030′″ and 2040′ (otherconnectors are shown in FIG. 21A, but not identified with separateidentification numbers). In various embodiments, connector 2030′ iselectrically coupled to power conductor 2120 and connector 2040′ iselectrically coupled to power conductor 2030 (other connectors are shownas electrically coupled, but not identified in FIG. 21A with separateidentification numbers). To continue assembly of the lighting system,connector 2030′″ on power bus 2110 is connected to connector 2040 onjumper 2050′, connector 2040′ on power bus 2110 is electricallyconnected to connector 2030 on jumper 2050, connector 2030′ on jumper2050′ is electrically connected to connector 2040″ on panel 2010′, andconnector 2040′ on jumper 2050 is electrically connected to connector2040″ on panel 2010′. While the system shown in FIG. 21A uses lightpanels or light sheets with protruding tabs, this is not a limitation ofthe present invention, and in other embodiments tab-less panels may beused or a mixture tabbed and tab-less panels may be used, or any othertype or style of light sheets or panels may be used. While the systemshown in FIG. 21A shows panels 2010 as close coupled, i.e., all of thepanels are connected together with relatively little space between eachpanel, both in the horizontal and vertical directions, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments,additional space between adjacent panels, for example in the horizontaldirection or vertical direction or both directions may be part of thepresent invention.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the light sheets orlight panels are configured and positioned such that the distancebetween adjacent LEEs between adjacent light sheets or light panels isthe same or substantially the same as the distance between adjacent LEEson one light sheet or light panel, i.e., the pitch between LEEs on alight panel or light sheet is the same or substantially the same as thepitch between adjacent LEEs across the joint or interface between twoadjacent light sheets or light panels. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, the lighting system includes or consists essentiallyof multiple light panels or light sheets and the pitch or distancebetween adjacent LEEs is the same, independent of whether the LEEs areon one light sheet or light panel or on separate light panels or lightsheets. In various embodiments of the present invention, the LEEs arespaced in a rectangular array on the light sheet or light panel with afirst pitch in a first direction and a second pitch in a seconddirection that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction,and the system includes or consists essentially of multiple light sheetsor light panels, and the pitch in the first direction between adjacentlight sheets is the same as the first pitch on the light sheet or lightpanel, and the pitch in the second direction between adjacent lightsheets is the same as the second pitch on the light sheet or lightpanel. For example, in various embodiments, the pitch between all LEEsin a system including multiple light panels, for example the systemshown in FIG. 21A, is the same or substantially the same.

While the lighting system shown in FIG. 21A includes nine light panelsor light sheets 2010, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments fewer or more light panels and/or light sheets2010 may be utilized. In various embodiments of the present invention, alighting system may include or consist essentially of at least 50 lightpanels and/or light sheets, or at least 100 light panels and/or lightsheets, or at least 500 light sheets and/or light panels, or at least5000 light sheets and/or light panels

FIG. 21B shows an embodiment of a lighting system of the presentinvention similar to that of the lighting system of FIG. 21A; however,in the system of FIG. 21B, power bus or power wiring harness 2111differs from power bus or power wiring harness 2110 by elimination ofjumpers 2050. Jumpers 2050 are replaced by tabs or extensions 2140 onwhich are disposed the connectors that connect to a connector on a lightsheet or light panel. In various embodiments of the present invention,tabs or extensions 2140 may each include one connector; however, this isnot a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments atab or extension 2140 may include more than one connector, as shown bytab or extension 2150. While tab or extension 2150 includes twoconnectors, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and inother embodiments tab or extension 2150 may include more than twoconnectors. In various embodiments of the present invention, power busor power wiring harness 2111 does not include tabs or extensions 2140 or2150, and the connectors are formed on the body of power bus or powerwiring harness 2111, as shown in FIG. 21C. In various embodiments of thepresent invention the power bus or power wiring harness includes orconsists essentially of one or more wires, optionally bundled togetherwith connectors wired to the main power lines in the power bus.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the connectors on theleft side (top and bottom) of each light sheet or light panel areelectrically coupled together and the connectors on the right side (topand bottom) of each light sheet or light panel are electrically coupledtogether, permitting multiple light sheets or light panels to be poweredby connection from one end of the array of light panels or light sheets.For example, in the lighting system of FIG. 21B, a power supply 2170provides power through power bus 2111 to the bottom three light panels.This power is then conveyed through the bottom light sheet or lightpanel to the light sheet or light panel to which it is electricallycoupled, and so on. For example, light panel 2010 is powered from powerbus 2111, light panel 2010′ is provided power from light panel 2010, andlight panel 2010″ is provided power from light panel 2010′. In variousembodiments of the present invention, this permits powering orenergizing of large linear assemblies of light panels or light sheetswith only one power connection, and in some embodiments from only oneend of the assembly. In various embodiments of the present invention,different configurations of connection of two or more connectors may beutilized.

In the example in FIG. 21B, power bus 2111 is electrically coupled topower supply 2170. In various embodiments of the present invention,power supply 2170 provides power to energize light panels 2010. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, power supply 2170 providesa constant voltage power to power bus 2111; however, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments powersupply 2170 may provide constant current, AC-based power, or any othertype of power. In various embodiments of the present invention, powersupply 2170 is energized from a mains power supply, for example an ACmains power source; however, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments power supply 2170 may be energizedfrom a battery or batteries, rechargeable battery or batteries,photovoltaic generation systems, wind generation systems, gas or otherfuel based generator systems, energy harvesting systems, another powersupply, or other power sources. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, power supply 2170 may provide a constant voltage that ismodulated, for example using pulse-width modulation (PWM), to permitdimming of light-emitting elements on light panels 2010; however, thisis not a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentsdimming may be accomplished by other means, for example by modificationof the current to each light panel, modification of the voltage to eachlight panel, or by other means.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a power bus or powerwiring harness 2111 or 2112 may also support control or communicationsignals to the light sheets or light panels, or from the light sheets orlight panels, for example to provide control and/or communicationsignals between a power source, for example power supply 2170 and lightpanels 2010. In various embodiments, control or communication signalsmay be used to selectively energize or de-energize individual or groupsof light panels or light sheets in a lighting system, or to selectivelyenergize or de-energize portions of individual or groups of light panelsor light sheets or to modify the intensity of light emitted byindividual or groups of light panels or light sheets in a system, or tomodify the intensity of light emitted by portions of individual orgroups of light panels or light sheets, or to modify other opticalcharacteristics of individual or groups of light panels or light sheetsor portions of individual or groups of light panels or light sheets, forexample correlated color temperature (CCT), color rendering index (CRI),R9, spectral power distribution, light distribution pattern, or thelike.

FIG. 21C shows an embodiment of the present invention in which a powerbus or power wiring harness 2112 without tabs or extensions 2140 or 2150is connected to light panels or light sheets 2010. In the lightingsystem of FIG. 21C, the vertical columns of light panels or light sheetsare spaced apart from each other, in contrast to the system of FIG. 21B,in which the light panels or light sheets are positioned substantiallynext to each other. Furthermore, in the system of FIG. 21C, power bus orpower wiring harness 2112 extends beyond the limits of the figure, andmay provide power to one or more additional groups of light sheets orlight panels. The number of groups of light sheets or light panelspowered by the power bus or power wiring harness is not a limitation ofthe present invention.

FIG. 21D shows a schematic of another embodiment of the presentinvention in which power is supplied to multiple columns of light panelsor light sheets from one end of the assembly. Power supply 2170 suppliespower to light sheet 2010, which provides power to light sheet 2010′.Power is then conveyed from light sheet 2010′ through power bus 2112 tolight sheet 2010″, which provides power to light sheet 2010′″. Power isthen conveyed from light sheet 2010′ through power bus 2113 to the nextarray of light sheets (not shown).

FIG. 21E shows a schematic of another embodiment of the presentinvention in which the connectors are grouped on one tab, with each tabhaving multiple connectors. For example, power bus 2111 has one tabconnecting to each light panel, for example tab 2141 connecting to panel2010. In various embodiments, one tab may include two or moreconnectors, while in other embodiments each connector may include orconsist essentially of multiple separate electrical conductors.

Power buses or power wiring harnesses may incorporate one or more tabsor no tabs, and various types of power buses or power wiring harnessesas well as combinations of various types of power buses or power wiringharnesses are within the scope of this invention.

While the systems shown in FIGS. 19A, 19H, 20A-20C, and 21A-21C depictsubstantially square light panels or light sheets, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments lightpanels or light sheets may have other shapes, for example rectangular,hexagonal, triangular, parallelogram, or any arbitrary shape. WhileFIGS. 21A-21C show square arrays of light sheets or light panels, thisis not a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentsthe light sheets or light panels may be configured or positioned in arectangular array, a hexagonal array, a triangular array, or any otherarray, whether periodic or not.

FIG. 21F shows an embodiment of a lighting system of the presentinvention including or consisting essentially of light panels 2010attached to a support 2190 and covered or partially covered by an optic2185 (the details of support 2190 and of optic 2185 are not shown forclarity, nor are they limitations of the present invention). As shown inFIG. 21F, optic 2185 is spaced apart from light panels 2010 by a spacing2180. In various embodiments of the present invention, optic 2185 may bein contact with light panel 2010 or substantially in contact with lightpanel 2010, while in other embodiments optic 2185 may be in contact orsubstantially in contact with the LEEs on light panel 2010, or may bespaced apart from light panel 2010 as shown in FIG. 21F. In variousembodiments of the present invention, spacing 2180 may be in the rangeof about 0.5× to about 5×, or in the range of about 1× to about 2×, thespacing or pitch of LEEs on light panel 2010. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, spacing 2180 may be in the range of about 5 mm toabout 500 mm, or in the range of about 10 mm to about 100 mm. In variousembodiments of the present invention, support 2190 may include orconsist essentially of a wall, ceiling, floor, column, sub-structure,substrate, or other feature to which light panel or panels 2010 may beattached or mounted. In various embodiments of the present invention,optic 2185 may include or consist essentially of a lens, a diffuser, arefractive optic, a reflective optic, a Fresnel optic, a fabric, atranslucent material such as plastic or stone, a graphic panel, amembrane or the like. In various embodiments of the present invention,optic 2185 may include or consist essentially of a plurality of opticalelements, for example as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/693,632, filed on Dec. 4, 2012, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, optic 2185 may include or consist essentially of glass,stone, plastic, fabric, foam, paper, or the like.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the total thickness2181 of the lighting system shown in FIG. 21F, i.e., the distancebetween the back of light panel 2010 to the front of optic 2185, may bein the range of about 1× to about 5× the spacing or pitch of LEEs onlight panel 2010, or in the range of about 1.5× to about 4× the spacingor pitch of LEEs on light panel 2010. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, a total thickness 2181 of the lighting system shownin FIG. 21F may be in the range of about 1 cm to about 10 cm, or in therange of about 1.5 cm to about 5 cm.

As described herein, various embodiments of the present inventioninclude columnar arrays of light panels in which each light panelincludes power conductors that provide power to the light-emittingelements of each panel and also provide a means of transmitting power toadjacent light panels within the columns. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, multiple columns may be positioned next to eachother, for example adjacent to but spaced apart from the adjacentcolumn, or adjacent to and in contact with the adjacent column, tocreate very large illuminated surfaces or arrays. In various embodimentsof the present invention, one or more columns of light panels may beenergized from a power bus system electrically coupled to one or bothends of the column of light panels.

While the systems shown in FIGS. 19A, 19H, 20A-20C, and 21A-21C depictsubstantially square light panels or light sheets, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments lightpanels or light sheets may have other shapes, for example rectangular,hexagonal, triangular, parallelogram, or any arbitrary shape. WhileFIGS. 21A-21C show square arrays of light sheets or light panels, thisis not a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentsthe light sheets or light panels may be configured or positioned in arectangular array, a hexagonal array, a triangular array, or any otherarray, whether periodic or not. For example, FIG. 22A shows a schematicof another embodiment of the present invention that includes threedifferent shaped light panels. Specifically, light panels 2010 and 2010′have one shape, light panels 2010′″ have a second shape, and light panel2010″″ has a third shape. In the example shown in FIG. 22A, light panels2010, 2010′, 2020′″, and 2010″″ are all rectangular; however, this isnot a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments thelight panels may have other shapes. For example, FIG. 22B shows anexemplary embodiment of the present invention similar to that of FIG.22A, in which light panel 2010′ is replaced by a light panel 2220 havinga curved edge 2221.

In various embodiments, each light panel may have a closed surface,i.e., a surface that does not define any holes or apertures within it;however, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments one or more light panels may define one or more openings orholes therein or therethrough. For example, a light panel may include ahole such that other elements or features of the surface may extendthrough the light panel surface, for example a head for a firesuppression system (for example a water sprinkler head, a chemicalextinguisher dispenser head, or the like), a smoke or fire sensor ordetector, a duct or vent for heating, air conditioning and ventilation(HVAC), an antenna or receiver for various one or two-way communicationsystems, a camera (for example, a video or still surveillance camera), apower outlet, a light source (for example, a spot light or down light toprovide localized light), a stand-off or other support element for adiffuser, optic, or other material positioned in front of the lightpanel, a structural or other element that is part of the surface onwhich the light panel is mounted, or any element which is desired toprotrude through the light panel. FIG. 22B shows an example of a lightpanel 2030 defining a through-hole 2031 through the light panel 2030.While FIG. 22B shows hole 2031 having a circular or substantiallycircular shape, this is not a limitation of the present invention, andin other embodiments hole 2031 may be square, rectangular, hexagonal,octagonal or have any arbitrary shape and/or size. While FIG. 22B showslight panel 2030 having one hole 2031, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments a light panel may definemore than one hole 2031. While FIG. 22B shows the lighting system havingone light panel with a hole, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments a lighting system may includemultiple light panels, with one or more light panels defining one ormore holes.

In various embodiments, the shapes of light panels such as light panels2010, 2010′, 2020′″, and 2010′ may be pre-determined, for example theymay be manufactured to one or more specific sizes, and a system mayinclude multiple light panels, each having the same size and shape, orsome or all light panels may have different shapes and sizes. In variousembodiments, these light panels of one or more shape and size may beassembled together to achieve the final desired shape and size, while inother embodiments one or more light panels may be cuttable or separablein one or more directions to permit formation of assemblies of panels ofdifferent sizes and shapes by removal of a portion of a panel, forexample as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/799,807,filed on Mar. 13, 2013, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/970,027,filed on Aug. 19, 2013, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/182,700,filed on Jun. 15, 2016, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/182,704,filed on Jun. 15, 2016, the entire disclosure of each of which isincorporated by reference herein.

In various embodiments of the present invention, control signals and/orcommunication signals may be carried over one or more electricalconductors separate from power conductors 2120 and 2130. For example,FIG. 23A shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention inwhich power bus 2111 includes a control conductor 2310 as well as powerconductors 2120 and 2130. Similar to the distribution of powerthroughout a system of light panels described herein, control and/orcommunication signals may be distributed through all or a portion of asystem of light panels over control conductor 2310, which mayelectrically couple to one or more electrical lines or conductorsdisposed on or in one or more of the light panels in the lightingsystem. While FIG. 23A shows one control conductor 2310, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments more thanone control conductor 2310 may be utilized. In various embodiments, acontrol or communication signal or signals may be transmitted to thelight panels via control conductor 2310. For example, in variousembodiments control or communication signal 2320 may be sent overcontrol conductor 2310 as shown in FIG. 23A. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, control or communication signal 2320 may beapplied directly to control conductor 2310, as shown in FIG. 23A;however, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments control or communication signal 2320 may be applied to powersupply 2170 and then to control conductor 2310 through power supply2170. In various embodiments, control or communication signal 2320 maybe provided to control conductor 2310 through a wireless system, forexample a radio- or light-transmission-based system. In variousembodiments, control or communication signal 2320 may include, consistessentially of, or consist of one or more of a voltage or current signal(for example a 0-10 V signal), a modulated signal (for example apulse-width-modulated signal), a digital signal, an analog signal, asignal based on various protocols used in the lighting and/or buildingindustry (for example DALI, DMX, BacNET), and the like. The specificcommunication or control signal protocol is not a limitation of thepresent invention.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the lighting system mayinclude or consist essentially of one or more master light panels 2350and one or more slave light panels 2350′. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, one or more slave light panels 2350′ may beelectrically coupled to one master light panel 2350 as detailed herein.In various embodiments of the present invention, master light panel 2350may include one or more control or communication modules, for examplecapable of receiving a control or communication signal and modifying acharacteristic of the master light panel 2350 and any slave light panels2350′ that are electrically coupled to master light panel 2350. Forexample, the control signal may represent (and/or direct a change in) alight intensity, a color, for example a CCT, a CRI, R9, spectral powerdistribution, spatial light distribution pattern, or the like. Forexample, in reference to the system of FIG. 23A, master light panel 2350may include a communication or control module (or “controller,” notshown in FIG. 23A for clarity) electrically coupled to control orcommunication line 2130. For example as shown in FIG. 23A, control orcommunication line 2130 may be electrically coupled to master lightpanel 2350 through one or more snap connectors 2360; however, this isnot a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentscontrol or communication line 2130 line may be electrically coupled tomaster light panel 2350 by other means, for example by a wireless system(e.g., a wireless receiver incorporated onto the master light panel2350). In various embodiments of the present invention, control orcommunication signal 2320 may incorporate and/or be configured forone-way or two-way transmission. For example, in a one-way transmissionsystem control signals may be passed to the light panels, and in atwo-way transmission system not only may control signals be passed tothe light panels, but information may be transmitted from the lightpanels back to a control system and/or to the power bus 2111. In variousembodiments, such information may include data on light panel status,for example operational time, light panel operating status, or may alsoinclude other signals for example from sensors, for example signals fromsensors such as fire, smoke, temperature, occupancy, light intensity(for example for daylight harvesting), light color or other parametersrelated to light panel operation or information about the ambientenvironment. In exemplary embodiments, the controller on master lightpanel 2350 may incorporate a wireless transmission system to communicatethe information, and/or other transmission circuitry to communicate theinformation on communication line 2130.

The control system (or “controller”) in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention may include or consist essentially of ageneral-purpose computing device in the form of a computer including aprocessing unit (or “computer processor”), a system memory, and a systembus that couples various system components including the system memoryto the processing unit. Computers typically include a variety ofcomputer-readable media that can form part of the system memory and beread by the processing unit. By way of example, and not limitation,computer readable media may include computer storage media and/orcommunication media. The system memory may include computer storagemedia in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as readonly memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). A basic input/outputsystem (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transferinformation between elements, such as during start-up, is typicallystored in ROM. RAM typically contains data and/or program modules thatare immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on byprocessing unit. The data or program modules may include an operatingsystem, application programs, other program modules, and program data.The operating system may be or include a variety of operating systemssuch as Microsoft WINDOWS operating system, the Unix operating system,the Linux operating system, the Xenix operating system, the IBM AIXoperating system, the Hewlett Packard UX operating system, the NovellNETWARE operating system, the Sun Microsystems SOLARIS operating system,the OS/2 operating system, the BeOS operating system, the MACINTOSHoperating system, the APACHE operating system, an OPENSTEP operatingsystem or another operating system of platform.

Any suitable programming language may be used to implement without undueexperimentation the functions described herein. Illustratively, theprogramming language used may include assembly language, Ada, APL,Basic, C, C++, C*, COBOL, dBase, Forth, FORTRAN, Java, Modula-2, Pascal,Prolog, Python, REXX, Matlab, Labview, R, and/or JavaScript for example.Further, it is not necessary that a single type of instruction orprogramming language be utilized in conjunction with the operation ofsystems and techniques of the invention. Rather, any number of differentprogramming languages may be utilized as is necessary or desirable.

The computing environment may also include other removable/nonremovable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. For example, a hard diskdrive may read or write to nonremovable, nonvolatile magnetic media. Amagnetic disk drive may read from or write to a removable, nonvolatilemagnetic disk, and an optical disk drive may read from or write to aremovable, nonvolatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM or other opticalmedia. Other removable/nonremovable, volatile/nonvolatile computerstorage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environmentinclude, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memorycards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM,solid state ROM, and the like. The storage media are typically connectedto the system bus through a removable or non-removable memory interface.

The processing unit that executes commands and instructions may be ageneral-purpose computer processor, but may utilize any of a widevariety of other technologies including special-purpose hardware, amicrocomputer, mini-computer, mainframe computer, programmedmicro-processor, micro-controller, peripheral integrated circuitelement, a CSIC (Customer Specific Integrated Circuit), ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a logic circuit, a digitalsignal processor, a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (FieldProgrammable Gate Array), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), PLA(Programmable Logic Array), RFID processor, smart chip, or any otherdevice or arrangement of devices that is capable of implementing thesteps of the processes of embodiments of the invention.

In various embodiments, the control or communication signal may bedistributed to all light panels in the lighting system, for example in asimilar fashion to power transmission from panel to panel as describedherein. For example, FIG. 23B shows an exemplary system having threeconnectors on the side of each light panel, in which two are utilizedfor power transmission and one is utilized for a communication and/orcontrol signal or signals. In FIG. 23B, power from power conductors 2120and 2130 is supplied through jumpers 2140 and 2150, respectively, tolight panel 2370, while control or communication signal 2310 is suppliedthrough jumper 2360 to light panel 2370. One or more (or even all) ofthe light panel 2370 may have three connectors on one or more sides, twofor power and one for control/communication, and thecontrol/communication signal is distributed to all sheets using acontrol/communication conductor on each sheet. For example,communication and control line 2310 may be electrically coupled throughjumper 2360 to a connector 2380 (e.g., a snap connector or othervertical connector) on light sheet 2370. Light sheet 2370 has a controlconductor 2382, shown as a dashed line, that electrically couplescontrol line 2310 to connector 2384 and thus to the light panel attachedto connector 2384. In various embodiments, control conductor 2382 mayhave the same configuration as power conductors 210 and 220 on lightpanel 110; for example, control conductor 2382 may include or consistessentially of a conductive trace disposed on, over, or within thesubstrate of light panel 110. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, a control or communication module may be included on or as aportion of light panel 2370, which may utilize one or more signals fromcommunication conductor 2380 to control operation of light panel 2370 orprovide information regarding the status of light panel 2370 or anyassociated sensors or other connected elements. While FIGS. 23A and 23Bshow control or communication signal 2320 being transmitted on one wireor conductor 2310, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments more than one wire or conductor 2310 may beutilized. In various embodiments, multiple conductor control lines 2310may be coupled to multiple connectors or jumpers 2360 or to oneconnector having multiple contacts.

In various embodiments of the present invention, power bus or powerwiring harness 2111 may include a substrate similar to that of substrate265 used for light sheet or light panel 110, e.g., a flexible planarsubstrate having one or more conductive traces and/or other elementsdefined thereon. In various embodiments of the present invention, powerconductors 2120 and 2130 may each include or consist essentially of oneor more conductive traces formed over or disposed over or on thesubstrate. In various embodiments of the present invention, theconnectors on the power bus may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of one or more snap connectors or other vertical connectors, forexample a 9 volt battery connector or a pin connector, similar to theconnectors on light sheet 110. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, the power bus may have a thickness less than about 5 mm orless than about 2 mm or less than about 1 mm.

In various embodiments, control conductor 2382 may electrically coupleto one or more control connectors 2383 (e.g., portions of a controlsystem on the light panel) configured to provide connection to controlconductor 2382, for example to permit access to control conductor 2382.In various embodiments, control conductor 2382 may be an electricalcontrol conductor 2382, and one or more control connectors 2383 may beelectrically coupled to control conductor 2382. In various embodiments,control connector 2383 may provide access to communication or controlsignals transmitted on control conductor 2382. In various embodiments,one or more sensor devices, for example smoke sensors, fire sensors,occupancy sensor, light sensors, heat sensors, humidity sensors,pressure sensors or the like may be connected to control conductor 2382through control connector 2383. In various embodiments, one or moredevices, for example still cameras, video cameras, speakers,microphones, or other devices may be connected to control conductor 2382through control connector 2383. In various embodiments, controlconductor 2382 may provide for a network configuration, permittingaccess, control, and communication to a wide variety of networkedsensors or other networked devices. In various embodiments, such anetwork may utilize Ethernet protocol, DALI, DMX or other protocols; thenetwork protocol s not a limitation of the present invention. While FIG.23B shows one control connector 2383 on light panel 2370, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments more thanone control connector 2383 may be connected to control conductor 2382,either on one light panel, for example light panel 2370, or on multipledifferent light panels.

In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more additionalconnectors may be electrically coupled to power conductors 2391 and 2392to provide access to power from power supply 2170. In variousembodiments, power conductor 2391 electrically couples connector 2030 toconnector 2040′, and connector 2393 is a connector available forconnection, and power conductor 2392 electrically couples connector 2040to connector 2030′, and connector 2394 is a connector available forconnection. In various embodiments, connectors 2393 and 2394 may be usedto access power from power supply 2170 for, e.g., powering of otherdevices or components connected to the lighting system. Connectors 2393,2394 may include or consist essentially of, for example, verticalconnectors such as snap or pin connectors, or any other type ofconnector described herein.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 23B, the lighting system mayalso provide access to other devices and/or sensors to control orcommunication signals or a network through one or more controlconnectors 2383 and access to power through one or more connectors 2393and 2394.

In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more tabs onlight panel 110, for example tab 1930, may include a strain relieffeature to provide some compliance or flexibility to the connectionsbetween light panels. FIG. 24A shows an example of a tab 2410 thatincludes strain relief features 2430 and 2440 in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, eachstrain relief feature may include, consist essentially of, or consist ofa perforation or cut (e.g., cut 2432) to permit independent orsemi-independent movement of the portions of the sheet or substrate oneither side of the strain relief feature. Such cuts may not penetratethrough the entire width of the tab, and multiple cuts may terminate atdifferent (e.g., opposite) sides of the tab. In various embodiments, therelative movement may include movement in a direction perpendicular orsubstantially perpendicular to the cut, within the plane of the cut,and/or out of the plane of the cut. In various embodiments, a strainrelief feature may include a termination feature 2434 at one or bothends of the cut, for example to reduce the tendency of the cut to extend(e.g., extend its length) when the tab is deformed. For example,termination feature 2434 may include, consist essentially of, or consistof an aperture connected to the cut but having one or more dimensions(e.g., a width, length, or diameter) larger than that of the cut. Invarious embodiments, the termination feature 2434 may be at leastpartially curved (e.g., circular, elliptical, etc.) and may provide alarger radius of curvature than would be the case in which the cutsimply terminated without termination feature 2434. In variousembodiments, cut 2432 may be straight or linear; however, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments cut 2432may be curved or have any arbitrary path. In various embodiments, cut2432 may have two ends (e.g., termination points), as shown in FIG. 24A;however, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments a cut may have more than two ends and/or may define morethan one linear or curved segment. While FIG. 24A shows a tab 2410having two strain relief features 2430 and 2440, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments tab 2410may include only one strain relief feature or may include more than twostrain relief features. As shown in FIG. 24A, tab 2410 includes twoconnectors 2450 (for, e.g., connection to another light panel); however,this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments tab 2410 may include only one connector or more than twoconnectors.

FIG. 24B shows an example of a tab 2410 in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention before connectors 2450 have been installed inholes 2452 in tab 2410. In various embodiments, tab 2410 may include onelayer of the material of the substrate 2460, as shown in FIG. 24B, whilein other embodiments tab 2410 may include more than one layer of thematerial of the substrate 2460. For example, FIG. 24C shows an exemplarytab having two layers of the material of the substrate 2460, the twolayers being formed by folding one layer over and adjacent to anotherlayer, for example folding tab portion 2411 over tab portion 2412 acrossfold line 2480. In various embodiments, tab portion 2411 and tab portion2412 may define holes therein of different shapes and/or sizes (e.g.,different holes 2454 and 2456 respectively as shown in FIG. 24C). Invarious embodiments of the present invention, portions of one or moreconductive traces may be formed near or surrounding or partiallysurrounding holes 2452, 2454, and/or 2456 to be electrically coupled toone or more connectors installed in such holes.

In various embodiments of the present invention, lighting panels and/orlighting systems may incorporate features to help control noise orunwanted sound. In interior spaces, some sources of noise or unwantedsound may include noise generated within the space (e.g., sound fromhuman activities (talking, walking, work activities, etc.) and/ormechanical system noise (heating and air conditioning systems, elevatorsystems, generators, etc.), noise or sound transmission from otherspaces (inter-room noise transfer, for example) or sound or noise fromthe outside environment. Approaches to reduce noise from outside of thespace in consideration, sometimes called soundproofing, may includeblocking the sound, absorbing the sound, or providing acoustic isolationfrom the sound source. Approaches to reduce noise generated from withinthe space in consideration, sometimes called sound absorption, maygenerally include approaches to absorb the undesired sound or noise.

Techniques to absorb sound have traditionally included use of soft orsound absorbing materials such as rugs, carpets, curtains as well as theuse of acoustic (i.e., sound absorbing) wall or ceiling materials, suchas fabrics or acoustic ceiling panels. One disadvantage to variousconventional approaches is that sound-absorbing materials are typicallysoft or porous (in order to effectively absorb the sound), which maymake them more prone to wear and in need of relatively frequentmaintenance. For example, a carpeted floor will provide a higher levelof sound absorption than a stone floor, but it will require moremaintenance and require much more frequent replacement. In general, thesame holds true for acoustic materials used on walls, particularly ifthey are positioned to permit soiling and/or damage from humanactivities.

The use of acoustic ceiling materials or panels addresses some of theissues with sound-absorbing materials on floors and walls, but thesound-reduction potential decreases as the ceiling area is consumed byother ceiling elements such as lighting. Additionally, the use of openceiling concepts, in which the entire ceiling is not covered, reducesthe area available for sound absorption.

Various embodiments of the present invention feature a lighting panel ora lighting system incorporating the capability to provide bothillumination and sound absorption. As detailed above, light panels inaccordance with embodiments of the invention may define one or moreopenings or holes therein or therethrough, and such openings may bebeneficially utilized to improve the sound-absorption capability of thelight panel. For example, in various embodiments of the presentinvention, a lighting panel or lighting system includes a substratecontaining an array of light-emitting elements backed by asound-absorbing material, where the substrate incorporates openings orapertures through the substrate exposing the underlying sound-absorptionmaterial, such that sound incident upon the lighting panel or lightingsystem may pass through the openings and be absorbed in the soundabsorbing material. In various embodiments, such lighting systems and/orlighting panels may be used to augment the sound-absorption capacity ina space or may be used to replace a portion of or an entire ceiling,while providing both illumination and sound absorption capability. Invarious embodiments, one or more portions of the sound-absorptionmaterial may even protrude into one or more of the holes in the lightpanel and may even protrude beyond and over the top surface of the lightpanel. Such portions of the sound-absorption material may have increasedthickness compared to portions of the material underlying closedportions of the light panel, which may enhance the sound absorption ofthe material. In addition, as detailed above, one or more other objects(e.g., spacers, connectors, fasteners, hooks, etc.) may be disposed onand/or through the sound-absorption material and protrude through one ormore of the apertures defined in the lighting panel.

FIGS. 25A and 25B depict an exemplary lighting panel 2500 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.FIG. 25B shows a cross-section of the structure of FIG. 25A throughcut-line A-A′. In various embodiments, lighting panel 2500 includes,consists essentially of, or consists of one or more substrates 2510, anarray of LEEs 230 and one or more apertures 2031 that form an opening orhole through substrate 2510. While FIG. 25A shows apertures 2031 asrectangles, in other embodiments apertures 2031 may have other shapes,for example squares, circles or any arbitrary shape. The shape ofapertures 2031 is not a limitation of the present invention. In variousembodiments, all apertures 2031 may have the same size and shape, whilein other embodiments lighting panel 2500 may include apertures withdifferent shapes and/or sizes. As shown in FIG. 25A, single apertures2031 may be positioned between rows of LEEs 230 such that, across eachportion of lighting panel 2500, only a single aperture 2031 extendsacross the width of lighting panel 2500.

One aspect of apertures 2031 is that the apertures are positioned innon-electrically active portions of the light panel; that is, they donot interfere with nor do the edges of apertures 2031 cut through theelectrical circuitry of the lighting panel material nor is any edge ofaperture 2031 electrically coupled to the electrical circuit poweringand/or controlling LEEs 230. For example, in various embodiments of thepresent invention, substrate 2510 may include electrical components suchas LEEs 230 and CEs 240 as well as conductive traces or electricalconnections such as conductive traces 260 and power conductors 210 and220 as described in reference to FIG. 2A, and apertures 2031 arepositioned such that they do not cut through or encompass any conductivetrace 260 or any power conductor 210, 220 or any LEEs 230, CEs 240 orany other circuitry.

FIG. 26C shows the partial electrical schematic of FIG. 2A with arepresentation of aperture 2031 overlaid on the partial electricalschematic in accordance with embodiments of the present invention,indicating the positioning of aperture 2013 in a region that does notcontain any part of the electrical circuit. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, aperture 2031 may cut through a portion ofconductive material on substrate 2510; however, in such embodiments theportion of conductive material is not electrically coupled to theelectrical circuit powering and/or controlling LEEs 230.

FIG. 26D shows the partial schematic of FIG. 2C with a representation ofaperture 2013 overlaid on the partial schematic in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, indicating the positioning ofaperture 2031 in a region that does not contain any part of theelectrical circuit. In various embodiments of the present invention,apertures 2031 may be positioned and/or the area of apertures 2031 maybe maximized without affecting or disrupting the pitch of LEEs 230, forexample, referring to FIG. 26D, apertures 2031 may be sized andpositioned without requiring a change in pitch 223 or 225. Thus, invarious embodiments of the invention, LEEs 230 are spaced apart at astring pitch 225, and the width of apertures 2031 may be less than thestring pitch 225 (e.g., between approximately 10% and approximately 80%of pitch 225, between approximately 20% and approximately 70% of pitch225, or between approximately 30% and approximately 60% of pitch 225).As mentioned above, the LEE pitch 223 within one or more strings of LEEsmay be, in various embodiments, approximately the same as string pitch225.

FIGS. 26A and 26B depict an exemplary lighting panel 2600 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.FIG. 26B shows a cross-section of the structure of FIG. 26A throughcut-line B-B′. Lighting panel 2600 is similar to lighting panel 2500described in reference to FIGS. 25A and 25B but with the addition ofsound-absorbing material 2610. As shown in FIG. 26B, sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 is positioned on the back of substrate 2510, i.e., it ison the side opposite LEEs 230; however, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention and in other embodiments sound-absorbing material maybe positioned on the front of substrate 2510, that is on the same sideas LEEs 230 or may be positioned on both the front and back sides ofsubstrate 2510. For example, sound-absorbing material may be positionedon the back side of the substrate beneath one or more (or even all) ofthe apertures 2031 and on the front side of the substrate in one or moreareas between the apertures 2031, thereby increasing or maximizing soundabsorption of the lighting panel 2600. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, apertures 2031 permit sound to pass through substrate2501 and impinge on sound-absorbing material 2610, where all or aportion of the sound may be absorbed. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, lighting panel 2600 may be used to both provideillumination and to provide a reduction in the noise or sound level inthe environment in which the light panel is installed.

In various embodiments, the surface of the sound-absorbing material 2610may have approximately the same size and shape as that of the substrate2510 (i.e., without considering the apertures defined through thesubstrate). That is, the outer perimeter of the sound-absorbing material2610 may substantially conform to the outer perimeter of the substrate2510; i.e., the outer perimeter of the sound-absorbing material mayconform to the outer perimeter of the substrate 2510 ±5 mm, ±2 mm, or ±1mm.

In embodiments in which sound-absorbing material 2610 is disposed on thefront side of substrate 2510, the sound-absorbing material 2610 mayitself define apertures therethrough in order to facilitate emission oflight from the LEEs 230 into the space. For example, single aperturesmay be defined over single LEEs 230, multiple LEES 230, or even one ormore strings of LEEs 230. Despite such absent portions of thesound-absorbing material 2610, embodiments of the invention will stillexhibit favorable sound-absorbing properties. In various embodiments, anoverlying sound-absorbing material 2610 may have solid portions thatoverlap, or even entirely cover, one or more of the apertures 2031defined in the substrate 2510. Thus, in such embodiments, the effectivethickness (and thus sound-absorbing capability) of the sound-absorbingmaterial disposed between LEEs is increased when compared to embodimentsin which sound-absorbing material 2610 is disposed only beneathsubstrate 2510. In embodiments in which apertures are defined in anoverlying sound-absorbing material 2610 (see also FIGS. 26E and 26F),such apertures may be disposed over one or more LEEs, and at leastportions of the interior surfaces of such apertures may be diffusely orspecularly reflective to light emitted by the LEEs. For example, atleast portions of the interior surfaces of such apertures may be coatedwith a reflective coating.

A standard method of quantitatively determining the level of soundabsorption of a particular material or structure is ASTM Procedure C432-09a, Standard Test method for Sound Absorption Coefficients by theReverberation Room Method, which is hereby incorporated by reference.The standard is available from ASTM or at www.astm.org. This test methodprovides the absorption coefficient as a function of frequency, forexample from about 40 Hz to about 10 kHz. It also provides twosingle-value (or scalar) representations of the amount of sound energythat is absorbed upon striking a particular surface, called the noisereduction coefficient (NRC) and the Sound Absorption Average (SAA). TheNRC is the average of four sound absorption coefficients of theparticular surface at four ⅓ octave frequencies (250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000Hz, and 2000 Hz). The SAA is the average sound absorption coefficientsof the particular surface at twelve ⅓ octave frequencies from 200 Hz to2500 Hz. These frequency ranges approximately cover sound from humanspeech and thus provides an approximate quantification of how well thesurface will absorb human voice. A NRC or SAA value of 0 indicatessubstantially perfect reflection of sound while a NRC or SAA value of 1indicates substantially perfect absorption of sound. Note that in somecases measured values of NRC and/or SAA may be above 1, related tocertain measurement conditions, for example thick test samples in whichsound may be absorbed by the edges. While sound-absorption capabilitieshave been described herein in reference to ASTM C 432-09a, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments othermethods or standards may be used to evaluate, quantify and/or comparesound-absorption capabilities.

In various embodiments, sound-absorbing material 2610 may include,consist essentially of, or consist of at least one of fiberglass, foam(e.g., sound-absorbing foam), cellulose, mineral wool, mineral fiber,fleece (e.g., acoustic fleece), acoustic ceiling tile, polyester,polyester felt, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), recycled PET, orfiberglass foam or other materials. In various embodiments,sound-absorbing material 2610 may be substantially rigid, as exemplifiedby Whispertone Tackboard or Whispertone Wallboard manufactured by JohnsManville or Cirrus or Cirrus High NRC manufactured by Armstrong WorldIndustries, while in other embodiments sound-absorbing material 2610 mayflexible or soft or in batting form, as exemplified by Akustikvlies(acoustic fleece) manufactured by Pongs or QuietZone Pink FiberglasAcoustic batt insulation manufactured by Owens Corning. In variousembodiments of the present invention, sound-absorbing material 2610 mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more panels ofpolyester or PET or recycled PET having a thickness in the range ofabout 4 mm to about 50 mm, or in the range of about 6 mm to about 25 mm,or in the range of about 8 mm to about 15 mm. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, sound-absorbing material 2610 may include,consist essentially of, or consist of one or more panels of polyester orPET or recycled PET having a weight in the range of about 1 kg/m′ toabout 40 kg/m², or in the range of about 3 kg/m² to about 25 kg/m², orin the range of about 4 kg/m² to about 15 kg/m². In various embodimentsof the present invention, sound-absorbing material 2610 may include,consist essentially of, or consist of one or more panels of polyester orPET or recycled PET having a density in the range of about 40 kg/m³ toabout 500 kg/m³, or in the range of about 100 kg/m³ to about 350 kg/m³,or in the range of about 150 kg/m³ to about 300 kg/m³.

In various embodiments of the present invention, “soft” sound-absorbingmaterial may have a hardness as measured on the Shore 00 scale less thanabout 30, less than about 15, or less than about 7. In variousembodiments of the present invention, sound-absorbing material 2610 mayhave a noise reduction coefficient greater than about 0.25, greater thanabout 0.6, or greater than about 0.7 (e.g., as measured in accordancewith ASTM C 432-09a). In various embodiments, sound-absorbing materialmay be “deformable” in the sense of conformally yielding to a force, butthe deformation may or may not be permanent; that is, the material maynot be resilient. Flexible materials used herein may or may not bedeformable (i.e., they may elastically respond by, for example, bendingwithout undergoing structural distortion), and deformable materials mayor may not be flexible (i.e., they may undergo permanent structuraldistortion in response to a force).

In various embodiments of the present invention, the quantity, shape,size, and position of the apertures may be modified to achieve aparticular NRC value or to achieve as high as NRC value as possible. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, the NRC value of thelighting panel is proportional or substantially proportional to theexposed area of sound-absorbing material 2610. For example, consider alighting panel having a total surface area of value P and total aperturearea A. In various embodiments of the present invention, NRC (lightingpanel) is equal to or approximately equal to NRC (sound-absorbingmaterial)*(A/P). Examination of this relationship indicates thatincreasing the ratio of total aperture area to light panel area (A/P)will increase the NRC of the lighting panel. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, the ratio of total aperture area to light panelarea (A/P) may be greater than about 0.25, greater than about 0.5,greater than about 0.7, or greater than about 0.8. In variousembodiments of the present invention, the substrate design may beoptimized to maximize the ratio of total aperture area to light panelarea (A/P). In various embodiments of the present invention increasingor maximizing the aperture area and/or the A/P ratio is done with theconstraint that the aperture does not interfere with the electricallyactive portions of the light panel or the electrical circuitry on thelight panel. In various embodiments of the present invention, apertures2031 may be configured to occupy all of the area of lighting panel 2600or substrate 2510 to within an aperture setback 2615 of LEEs 230 (and/orrows, columns, and/or strings thereof), other electronic components,circuitry, and/or the edges of the lighting panel. Referring to FIG.26A, aperture 2615 has aperture setback 2615 around LEEs 230 and betweenthe edge of aperture 2032 and the edge of substrate 2510. In variousembodiments of the present invention, aperture setback 2615 may be lessthan about 10 mm, or less than about 5 mm, or less than about 2.5 mm.

In various embodiments of the present invention, sound-absorptionmaterial 2610 may have a thickness in the range of 0.5 inch to about 3inches; however, this is not a limitation of the present invention, andin other embodiments the thickness of sound absorption material 2610 maybe less than 0.5 inch or greater than 3 inches. In various embodimentsof the present invention, a lighting panel may have a NRC value greaterthan about 0.2, greater than about 0.5, or greater than about 0.7. TheNRC value may be less than about 1.

FIGS. 26E and 26F depict a portion of an exemplary lighting panel 2601in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, althoughalternative systems with similar functionality are also within the scopeof the invention. FIG. 26F shows a cross-section of the structure ofFIG. 26E through cut-line C-C′. In various embodiments, lighting panel2601 includes, consists essentially of, or consists of one or moresubstrates 2510, an array of LEEs 230 and sound-absorption material 2610mounted or positioned on top of substrate 2510, that is on the same sideof substrate 2510 as LEEs 230, having one or more apertures 2620 thatform an opening or hole through sound-absorbing material 2610 andexposing LEEs 230. While FIG. 26E shows apertures 2620 having slopedsidewalls 2630 this is not a limitation of the present invention, and inother embodiments sidewalls 2630 may be vertical or have any arbitraryfixed or varying slope. In various embodiments of the present invention,the area of sound-absorbing material may be maximized by setting thesize 2640 (e.g., width, diameter, or area) of the opening insound-absorbing material 2610 to less than about 10 times the size 2650of LEE 230, or to less than about 5 times the size 2650 of LEE 230, orto less than about 3 times the size 2650 of LEE 230, or to less thanabout 2 times the size 2650 of LEE 230. In various embodiments, lightingpanels may have LEEs 230 disposed on both sides of substrate 2510, andsound-absorbing material 2610 may be disposed on both sides of thesubstrate as depicted for a single side in FIGS. 26E and 26F.

FIGS. 27A and 27B depict an exemplary lighting panel 2700 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.FIG. 27B shows a cross-section of the structure of FIG. 27A throughcut-line D-D′. Lighting panel 2700 is similar to lighting panel 2600described in reference to FIGS. 26A and 26B; however, lighting system2700 also includes connectors 2030, 2030′, 2040, and 2040′ as describedherein. In various embodiments, the use of connectors 2030, 2030′, 2040,and 2040′ facilitates the supply of electrical power to the lightingpanel 2700 without the need to provide electrical wires or connectionsthrough the sound-absorbing material 2610 itself; such wires orconnections may compromise the structural integrity or sound-absorbingproperties of the sound-absorbing material 2610.

In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more connectorsmay be positioned or mounted on tabs, positioned or mounted on the backside of substrate 2510, and/or on tabs facing the back side (the sideopposite the side on which LEEs 230 are positioned) of substrate 2510,and such connectors and/or tabs may be configured to overlap andelectrically connect to a connector that faces the opposite direction(e.g., the front side of substrate, i.e., the same side of substrate2510 as LEEs 230) on an adjacent light panel. FIGS. 27A and 27B depictconnectors 2030′ and 2040′ positioned on tabs and which may beconfigured to electrically couple or connect to connectors 2040 and 2030respectively on an adjacent light panel. Connectors 2030, 2030′, 2040,and 2040′ may have different genders and may each be disposed on (andthus face away from) either the front surface of the substrate or theback surface of the substrate. As discussed herein, in variousembodiments of the present invention the connectors may be positioned onthe tabs and the substrates such that the pitch between adjacent LEEs230 on adjacent sheets is the same as or substantially the same as thepitch between adjacent LEEs 230 on each substrate. As shown, tabscontaining connectors and/or portions of substrates on which connectorsare disposed may not have sound-absorbing material 2610 disposedimmediately therebelow, in order to provide access to the connectors(e.g., vertical connectors such as snap connectors) for connectionthereof. In various embodiments, light panels and tiled light panels mayhave sound-absorbing material 2610 disposed immediately below connectorsand/or tabs (see, e.g., FIG. 33B). In such embodiments, thesound-absorbing material 2610 may be disposed beneath the light panel(s)after interconnection of the tabs, and/or the areas of the lightpanel(s) proximate the connectors or tabs may not be affixed to thesound-absorbing material 2610 to enable access to and operation of theconnectors.

As shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, lighting panel 2700 also includesadhesive 2710 that may be used in various embodiments to adhere or bondsubstrate 2510 to sound-absorbing material 2610. In various embodiments,adhesive 2710 may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a sprayadhesive, an epoxy, a glue, double-sided tape, or other adhesive means.The means of adhering lighting panel 2510 to sound-absorbing material2610 is not a limitation of the present invention. While FIG. 27B showsadhesive 2710 over the entire surface of sound absorbing material 2710that is adjacent to substrate 2510, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments adhesive 2710 may only covera portion of the surface of sound absorbing material 2710 that isadjacent to substrate 2510 while in other embodiments adhesive 2710 maycover all or a portion or none of the surface of sound absorbingmaterial 2610 under apertures 2031. For example, in various embodimentsthe adhesive 2710 may only be present beneath one or more solid portionsof the substrate 2510, and not present beneath one or more of theapertures 2031. In other embodiments, the adhesive 2710 may be presentbeneath both one or more solid portions of the substrate 2510 and one ormore of the apertures 2031.

FIG. 28A depicts an exemplary lighting panel 2800 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, although alternative systems withsimilar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.Apertures 2031 in lighting panel 2800 have a different shape and sizethan those in lighting panels 2700, 2600 and 2500, as depicted in FIGS.27A, 26A and 25A. In various embodiments of the present invention,substrate 2510 may be attached to sound-absorbing material 2610 bymechanical means, for example one or more mechanical connectors 2810. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, mechanical connector 2810may include a barbed connector as shown in FIGS. 28B and 28C; however,this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments other mechanical means may be used to attach substrate 2510to sound-absorbing material 2610, for example one or more screws, boltsand nuts, nails, staples, or the like. The means of attaching oradhering substrate 2510 to sound-absorbing material 2610 is not alimitation of the present invention. In embodiments in which barbedconnectors are utilized, as shown in FIGS. 28B and 28C, the terminalbarbed portion of the connector may penetrate into but not through thesound-absorbing material 2610, as shown; in other embodiments, all or aportion of the barbed end of the connector may penetrate and protrudethrough the sound-absorbing material 2610.

FIG. 29A depicts an exemplary lighting panel 2901 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, although alternative systems withsimilar functionality are also within the scope of the invention. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, apertures 2031 may havedifferent shapes and sizes, for example as exemplified by apertures 2031in FIG. 25A, apertures 2031′ in FIG. 28A, apertures 2031″ in FIG. 29 ,apertures 2031′″ in FIG. 30 , or apertures 2031′ in FIG. 31A; however,the position, shapes, sizes and quantities of apertures are not alimitation of the present invention. While FIGS. 25A-28A show apertureshaving a rectangular shape this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments the apertures may have any othershapes, for example a square, circle, triangle, parallelogram,trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, or any arbitrary shape.

While FIGS. 25A-28A depict a rectangular lighting panel, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments lightingpanels may have any other shapes, for example a square, circle,triangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon or any arbitraryshape. FIG. 29A shows lighting panel 2900 having one rounded corner, forexample to provide illumination to an object with a curved shape or in acurved corner of a space. FIG. 29B shows lighting panel 2901 having ahexagonal shape. FIG. 29C shows lighting panel 2902 having a triangularshape. In various embodiments of the present invention, the apertures ina lighting panel may have different shapes and/or sizes. For example,lighting panel 2901 has apertures with three different shapes and sizes,identified as apertures 2031″, 2931, and 2931′, while lighting panel2902 has three different size trapezoidal apertures 2932, 2932′, and2932″. FIG. 29D shows lighting panel 2903 having a rectangular shapewith a relatively large array of relatively small apertures 2933, whileFIG. 29E shows a magnified view of region 2950 of lighting system 2903in FIG. 29D. Thus, in various embodiments of the invention, one or more(or even each) of the apertures 2933 may have a size (e.g., diameter orwidth or area) smaller than that of one or more of the LEEs 230.

While FIGS. 29D and 29E show apertures 2933 as circular this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments apertures2903 may have other shapes for example, square, rectangle, triangle,pentagon, hexagon or any arbitrary shape. While FIGS. 29D and 29E showapertures 2933 in a periodic array this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments apertures 2903 may bepositioned with other patterns, for example a hexagonal array, or may bepositioned randomly. In various embodiments of the present invention,apertures 2933 may have a size or diameter in the range of about 0.1 mmto about 10 mm, or in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, the A/P ratio may begreater than about 0.25, greater than about 0.5, greater than about 0.7,or greater than about 0.8.

FIGS. 30A and 30B depict an exemplary lighting panel 3000 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.FIG. 30B shows a cross-section of the structure of FIG. 30A throughcut-line E-E′. Lighting panel 3000 is similar to lighting panel 2600described in reference to FIGS. 26A and 26B with the addition of variousconnectors. In various embodiments, lighting panel 3000 may includeconnectors that are electrically connected to power conductors toprovide power to LEEs 230. In various embodiments, lighting panel 3000may include connectors as described herein, for example connectors 2030,2030′, 2040, and 2040′.

In various embodiments of the present invention, lighting panel 3000 mayinclude a stiffener 3010 having one or more apertures 3020 therethrough.In various embodiments of the present invention, stiffener 3010 mayprovide stiffness to lighting panel 3000, for example if sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 is not rigid, for example when using batting or fleece asthe sound-absorbing material. In various embodiments, substrate 2510 maybe flexible, in which case stiffener 3010 may be used, particularly inconjunction with soft and/or flexible sound-absorbing material 2610′, asshown in FIG. 30B. In various embodiments of the present invention,apertures 3020 may correspond in position, quantity, size, and shape toapertures 2031′ in substrate 2510, to minimize or eliminate any blockingor reflection of incident sound by stiffener 3010. In variousembodiments of the present invention, stiffener 3010 may include,consist essentially of, or consist of sound-absorbing material itself.For example, in various embodiments stiffener 3010 may include, consistessentially of, or consist of a rigid sound-absorbing material andsound-absorbing material 2610′ may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of a soft and/or flexible sound-absorbing material. In suchembodiments, one or more sound-absorbing properties (e.g., NRC) of thestiffener 3010 may be approximately equal to or superior to those ofsound-absorbing material 2610′. In other embodiments, the stiffener 3010may be rigid but exhibit one or more sound-absorbing properties (e.g.,NRC) that are inferior to those of sound-absorbing material 2610′. Forexample, the NRC of stiffener 3010 may be less than 0.5, less than 0.3,less than 0.2, or less than 0.1.

FIG. 31A depicts an exemplary lighting panel 3100 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, although alternative systems withsimilar functionality are also within the scope of the invention. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, the area of apertures 2031(e.g., apertures 2031″″ in FIG. 31A) may be maximized to provide thelargest area for access to underlying sound absorption material 2610 tomaximize the NRC of the lighting panel. FIG. 31B depicts an enlargedview of a portion of lighting panel 3100 of FIG. 31A, and FIG. 31Bdepicts power conductors or power bus lines 210 and 220 and conductivetraces 260 and strings 250 of electrically connected LEEs 230, asdescribed in reference to FIGS. 2B and 2C. Referring to both FIGS. 31Aand 31B, connectors 2030′ and 2040 may be electrically connected topower conductor 220 and connectors 2040′ and 2030 may be electricallyconnected to power conductor 210. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 31B,string 250 includes LEEs 230 as well as well as a current controlelement (CE) 240 in area 3150 (the individual elements of CE 240 are notshown in FIG. 31B for simplicity). As depicted in FIG. 31B, conductivetraces 260 have been laid out to maximize the area of aperture 2031′while maintaining the regular position and pitch of LEEs 230 as well asensuring aperture 2031″″ does not intersect or interfere with any of theelectrical circuitry. In other words, all electrical components andcircuitry are positioned outside of aperture 2031′. The total aperturearea of lighting panel 3100 is about 30% of the total surface area oflighting panel 3100. In various embodiments of the present invention,the position of LEEs 230, conductive traces 260, optional CEs 240 andany other elements may be adjusted to maximize the total aperture area.In various embodiments of the present invention, the total aperture areaof lighting panel 3100 may be greater than 25% of the total surface areaof lighting panel 3100, or greater than 50% of the total surface area oflighting panel 3100, or greater than 70% of the total surface area oflighting panel 3100.

As shown in FIG. 31B, portions of the electrical traces 260 and/or powerconductors 210, 220 may change direction (e.g., be curved) proximate oneor more portions of the aperture 2031″″. For example, an electricaltrace 260 may be straight in portions directly connected to one or moreLEEs 230 and change direction (e.g., be curved) in one or more regionsbetween LEEs 230. Such configurations may enable the use of largeraperture areas than configurations in which electrical traces orconnections extend in straight lines between light-emitting devices.While electrical traces and/or power conductors having curved portionsand/or one or more directional changes will have longer lengths than ifthey followed substantially straight lines, any potential disadvantagesrelated thereto (e.g., higher overall electrical resistance) may beconsidered to be a trade-off for the enhanced sound-absorptionproperties afforded by the larger apertures enabled by such tracesand/or power conductors.

Three configurations of a surface-mounted lighting system were testedusing ASTM Procedure C 423-09a to determine their NRC and SoundAbsorption Average (SAA) values. The lighting systems were mounted usingthe E-400 configuration with acoustic test signal 3260 impinging on afabric 1240 as shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B. FIG. 32A shows a schematic oflighting system 3200 including a frame 3210, a fabric diffuser 1240, anda lighting panel 3220 that includes substrate 2510, LEEs 230 and solidback panel 3230, mounted in a test system 3250 with a spacing 3240behind the back of solid back panel 3230 installed in test system 3250.Substrate 2510 includes apertures 2031, but these are blocked or closedfrom the back by solid back panel 3230 and lighting panel 3220 does notinclude any sound-absorption material.

FIG. 32B shows a schematic of lighting system 3201 including frame 3210,diffuser 1240 and lighting panel 3221 that includes substrate 2510, LEEs230, perforated back panel 3231 and sound-absorbing material 1640,installed in test system 3250 with a spacing 3240 between the back ofsound absorbing material 1640 and test system 3250. Substrate 2510includes apertures 2031, which were matched by openings in perforatedback panel 3230, thus exposing sound-absorbing material 1640 throughperforated back panel 3231 and substrate 2510.

Lighting systems 3200 and 3201 each had a length of about 10 feet and awidth of about 12 feet. Spacing 3240 was set at about 400 mm. Diffuser1240 was a fabric diffuser, but this is not a limitation of the presentinvention and in other embodiment other materials may be utilized fordiffuser 1240. Two different sound-absorbing materials 2610 wereevaluated, as listed in Table 1. Table 1 shows an improvement in NRCwith the addition of sound-absorbing material by a factor between about2 and about 2.6 for this lighting system. In this configuration theratio of the total aperture 2031 area to total substrate area was about32%.

TABLE 1 Lighting System Sound Absorbing Material NRC SAA 3200 None 0.250.26 3201 Soft Acoustic Fleece Batt 0.50 0.51 3201 2″ Fibreglass FoamPanel 0.65 0.63

In various embodiments a lighting system including one or more lightingpanels may have a NRC value greater than about 0.2, greater than about0.5, greater than about 0.6, or greater than about 0.7.

In various embodiments, two or more lighting panels may be tiledtogether, i.e., placed adjacent to each other and/or interconnectedtogether. FIGS. 33A and 33B show exemplary plan view and cross-sectionalviews, respectively, of four lighting panels that are tiled together.FIG. 33B shows a cross-section of the structure of FIG. 33A throughcut-line F-F′. In various embodiments of the present invention,connectors on lighting panel 2510′ are electrically connected toconnectors on lighting panel 2510, and connectors on lighting panel2510′ are electrically connected to connectors on lighting panel 2510″as described herein. In various embodiments of the present invention,connectors on lighting panel 2510′ and 2510″ are connected to powerconductors 2120 and 2130 to provide power from power supply 2170 to thelighting panels, as described herein. As shown more clearly in FIG. 33B,in embodiments featuring connectors 2030′, 2040′ disposed on protrudingtabs, the sound-absorbing material 2610 may not underlie the tabs inorder to facilitate tiling of the lighting panels without overlappingthe sound-absorbing material 2610 (while still having sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 gaplessly underlie the tiled lighting panels).

In various embodiments of the present invention, lighting panels aretiled so that, when connected together, or when installed, the spacingor pitch between adjacent LEEs 230 is the same or substantially the sameon one light panel as it is across the interface between adjacent lightpanels, as described herein. As discussed in reference to FIG. 2B, invarious embodiments of the present invention LEEs 230 may be positionedin a periodic array, for example a substantially square or rectangulararray, where LEEs 230 are separated by pitch (or “spacing”) 223 in theone direction and by pitch 225 in an orthogonal or substantiallyorthogonal direction. Referring to FIG. 33A, in various embodiments ofthe present invention, lighting panels with sound-absorbing material2610 may be tiled so that pitch 225 between adjacent LEEs 230 on onelighting panel is the same as or substantially the same as pitch 225′between adjacent LEEs 230 on adjacent lighting panels and pitch 223between adjacent LEEs 230 on one lighting panel is the same as orsubstantially the same as pitch 223′ between adjacent LEEs 230 onadjacent lighting panels.

FIG. 33C shows a portion of two lighting panels 3301 and 3301′ tiledtogether such that, in various embodiments of the present invention,pitch 223 between adjacent LEEs 230 on one lighting panel is the same asor substantially the same as pitch 223′ between adjacent LEEs 230 onadjacent lighting panels. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, conductive traces 260 may be routed or positioned to maximizethe area of the apertures in the light panels so as to maximize thenoise reduction coefficient of the lighting panel.

Referring to FIGS. 26A and 26B, sound-absorbing material 2610 is shownin FIGS. 26A and 26B as having the same or substantially the same sizeand shape as substrate 2510; however, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments sound-absorbing material2610 may be smaller or large in size than substrate 2510 and/or may havea different shape than substrate 2510. That is, the sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 may protrude inward or outward beneath the substrate 2510on one or more edges thereof. In various embodiments, sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 may be the same or substantially the same size and shapeas substrate 2510 or may be smaller than substrate 2510, that is, theedges of sound-absorbing material 2610 may not extend beyond the edgesof substrate 2510 so as to permit tiling of lighting panels 2600adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 33A.

FIGS. 34A and 34B depict an exemplary lighting panel 3400 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.FIG. 34B shows a cross-section of the structure of FIG. 34A throughcut-line G-G′. Lighting panel 3400 is depicted with a portion ofsubstrate 2510 removed for clarity to show the surface of the underlyingsound-absorption material 2610, identified as 3410.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a light panel may beoverlaid or covered with an overlying optic, diffuser or translucentpanel, and/or graphic panel 1240 as shown in FIG. 34C to soften oreliminate the image of individual LEEs 230 and/or to provide ahomogeneous color and/or brightness over the entire area of thediffuser. Light emitted by LEEs 230 may reflect of off the diffuser orother surfaces within the optical cavity (for example the region betweenthe diffuser and the lighting panel) and further reflect off of thelighting panel before being emitted into the exterior environment.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the lighting panel mayhave multiple surfaces from which light may reflect. In variousembodiments of the present invention, light may reflect from the topsurface of substrate 2510, identified as 3420 in FIGS. 34A and 34B, andfrom the top surface of sound-absorbing material 2610, identified as3410 in FIGS. 34A and 34B. Referring to FIG. 34C, a portion of lightemitted from LEEs 230 may reflect off of diffuser 1240, reflect fromsurface 3410 of sound-absorbing material 2610, and then be transmittedthrough diffuser 1240 (identified as light 3430). In various embodimentsof the present invention, a portion of light emitted from LEEs 230 mayreflect off of diffuser 1240 but then reflect from surface 3420 ofsubstrate 2510 and be transmitted through diffuser 1240 (identified aslight 3440). In various embodiments of the present invention, a portionof light emitted from LEEs 230 may reflect off of the surface of frame3210 and be transmitted through diffuser 1240 (identified as light3450). If the optical properties of surface 3410 of sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 and/or surface 3420 of substrate 2510 and/or the surfaceof frame 3210 are sufficiently different, light 3430 and 3440 may have avisibly different color and/or intensity, which in some embodiments ofthe present invention may be undesirable. Note that while three types ofreflections are described in reference to FIG. 34C this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments otherreflections may occur that may impact the color and/or intensity of thelight viewed through diffuser 1240. For example, light from LEEs 230 mayreflect off of frame 3210, reflect off of diffuser 1240 and reflect offof substrate 2510 before being transmitted through diffuser 1240.

The inventors have found that such undesirable variations in colorand/or brightness may be reduced or eliminated by controlling thesurfaces from which light may be reflected within the lighting system,for example within the optical cavity (the region in the lighting systemexposed directly or indirectly to light emitted by LEEs 230) such thatthe color and/or intensity of light that reflects off of each of thesurfaces is the same or substantially the same.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the surfaces ofsubstrate 2510, sound-absorbing material 2610, and frame 3210 mayconstitute the main surfaces that may be controlled; however, this isnot a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentsother materials or surfaces may affect the viewed color or intensity andthus may be controlled as well.

In various embodiments of the present invention, such intensity and/orcolor variations may be minimized when the reflectivity of surfaces 3410and/or 3420 and/or the surface of frame 3210 are the same orsubstantially the same. In various embodiments of the present invention,surfaces 3410 and 3420 may have an average reflectance in the range ofabout 0.6 to about 0.95 over a range of wavelengths emitted by LEEs 230.In various embodiments of the present invention, surfaces 3410 and 3420may have an average reflectance in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.95over a wavelength range from about 450 nm to about 750 nm. In variousembodiments of the present invention, the difference in the averagereflectance values of surfaces 3410 and 3420 may be less than about ±20%or less than about ±10%, or less than about ±5% or less than about ±2%or less than ±1%.

In various embodiments of the present invention interior portions of alighting system may be painted with paint or pigment (e.g., white paint)to minimize color and/or intensity variations to match a surface color(e.g., a white surface color) of substrate 2510. In various embodimentsof the present invention, a white gloss paint having a reflectance ofabout 0.69 may be used as a coating for interior portions of a lightingsystem (for example frame 3210 as described in reference to FIGS. 32Aand 32B), and substrate 2510 may include a white solder mask having areflectance of about 0.82; the difference in reflectivity of the whitesolder mask referenced to the white gloss paint being about 19%. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, a flat/matte white painthaving a reflectance of about 0.83 may be used as a coating for interiorportions of a lighting system (for example frame 3210 as described inreference to FIGS. 32A and 32B), and substrate 2510 may include a whitesolder mask having a reflectance of about 0.82; the difference inreflectivity of the white solder mask referenced to the flat/matt whitepaint being about 1%. In various embodiments of the present invention, awhite gloss paint having a reflectance of about 0.69 may be used as acoating for interior portions of a lighting system (for example frame3210 as described in reference to FIGS. 32A and 32B), and substrate 2510may include exposed or uncovered aluminum conductors where, for example,aluminum conductors may have a reflectance of about 0.87; the differencein reflectivity of the aluminum conductors referenced to the whiteflat/matte paint being about 26%.

In various embodiments of the present invention such intensity and/orcolor variations may be minimized when the color of surfaces 3410 and/or3420 and/or the surface of frame 3210 are the same or substantially thesame. Color may be measured using a variety of color scales. One suchscale is the CIE XYZ tristimulus scale. Another color scale that mayhave a better correlation with visual attributes is the CIE 1976(L*a*b*) or CIELAB color scale, available as ISO 11664-4:2008(E)/CIE S014-4/B: Joint ISO/CIE Standard: Colorimetry-Part4: CIE 1976 L*a*b*Colour Space (2007), available for example from the CIE or atwww.Cie.Co.at, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference. CIELAB uses three numerical values to define the color; L*defines lightness, a* denotes the red/green value, and b* denotes theyellow/blue value. CIELAB is a color space specified in 1976 by theInternational Commission on Illumination. In the CIELAB color scalecolor differences are denoted as ΔE*=[(ΔL*)²+(Δa*)²+(Δb*)²]^(1/2) whereΔL*, Δa* and Δb* are the differences of the individual L*, a* and b*values. While colors and color differences have been described usingCIELAB herein, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and inother embodiments other methods or standards may be used to evaluate,quantify and/or compare color and/or color differences.

In various embodiments of the present invention, different solder maskmaterials (for example inks and coverlays may have a CIELAB color valuesof about (94.3,0.9,−0.1), about (97.3,0.6,−0.7) or about (96.6,0.0,−1.3) while a white reference (BaSO₄) may have a CIELAB color valueof about (100,0,0). In various embodiments of the present invention, thecolor difference between surfaces to be controlled as determined by ΔE*may be less than about 6, or less than about 3, or less than about 1. (Acoverlay is a layer of material formed over the substrate, for exampleto provide a reflective surface, and for example may include, consistessentially of, or consist of PET, acrylic, polyester, or the like.)

A standard that is used to measure and compare whiteness is the ASTME313 yellowness index, which is used to determine the degree to which asample's color deviates from an ideal white. This is available from ASTMor from www.astm.org and is hereby incorporated by reference. In variousembodiments of the present invention, different solder mask materials(for example inks and coverlays) may have Yellowness Index YI of about0.45, about −1.05, or about −2.62, while a white reference (BaSO₄) mayhave a YI of about −0.07. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, the absolute value of the Yellowness difference betweensurfaces to be controlled as determined by ΔYI may be less than about 5,less than about 3, less than about 1.5, or less than about 0.75.

In various embodiments of the present invention, all or a portion ofsurface 3410 of sound-absorption material 2610 may be colored and/orcoated to match (as described herein) the color and/or reflectivity ofsurface 3420 of substrate 2510. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, such coloring may be incorporated into sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 itself; however, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention and in other embodiments such coloring may be implementedusing a layer formed over or on sound-absorbing material 2610. Invarious embodiments, such a layer may include, consist essentially of,or consist of an ink, a paint, a dye, or the like. In variousembodiments, such a layer may include, consist essentially of, orconsist of a separate material overlaid on or adhered to surface 3410,for example a fabric, a polymer or the like. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, the layer may easily permit the transmission ofsound therethrough, for example such a layer may have a soundtransmission percentage of at least 50%, at least 75%, or at least 85%.In various embodiments, such a layer may be the same or similar to thematerial used in a fabric diffuser, for example as discussed inreference to FIG. 34C; that is, the same type of fabric or othermaterial used for diffuser 1240 may be utilized to cover at least theexposed areas of sound-absorbing material 2610.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the surface 3410 ofsound-absorption material 2610 may be colored to have a white color anda relatively high reflectivity. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, the surface of sound-absorbing material 2610 may have a YIbetween about −5 and about 5, or between about −2.5 and about 2.5, orbetween about −1 and about 1, or between about −0.5 and 0.5. In variousembodiments of the present invention, the surface 3410 ofsound-absorbing material 2610 may have a reflectivity greater than about30%, or greater than about 50%, or greater than about 75%. In variousembodiments of the present invention, sound-absorbing material 2610 mayhave a CIELAB L* value of at least 50, or at least 75, or at least 85.

In various embodiment of the present invention, a lighting panel mayinclude a layer configured to protect LEEs during manufacture, shippingand installation. In various embodiments of the present invention, LEEs230 (and optionally other components) may be mounted on substrate 2510,for example using means such as soldering, adhesive, or conductiveadhesive, and during handling such LEEs may be subject to forces thatmay damage them or cause them to be removed from substrate 2510.Substrate 2510 may also be subject to possible damage, for examplesubstrate 2510 may include, consist essentially of, or consist of arigid or flexible printed circuit board (PCB) and may be subject toforces that may damage or cut the conductive traces on the PCB.

FIGS. 35A-35F depict examples of a protective layer 3510 that may bedisposed over substrate 2510 to protect LEEs 230 (and other optionalcomponents) and/or substrate 2510. In various embodiments, protectivelayer 3510 may include, consist essentially of, or consist of one ormore rigid or flexible layers having openings or apertures to exposeLEEs 230 and openings or apertures to expose sound-absorbing material2610 through apertures 2031 in substrate 2510 (and/or openings to exposeportions of sound-absorbing material that may be present on the topsurface of substrate 2510). FIG. 35A shows a cross-section of anexemplary lighting panel including protective layer 3510 having openings3540 for LEEs 230 and openings 3530 to expose sound-absorbing material2610 through apertures 2031 in substrate 2510. While FIG. 35A showsopenings 3530 in protective layer 3510 as the same or substantially thesame size and shape as apertures 2031 in substrate 2510, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments openings3530 in protective layer 3510 may have a different size and shape asapertures 2031 in substrate 2510. In various embodiments the NRC valueof the lighting panel may be maximized by making openings 3530 inprotective layer 3510 with a shape and size to fully expose apertures2031 in substrate 2510; that is, the dimensions (e.g., width, diameter,area, etc.) of the openings 3530 may be larger than those of apertures2031.

In various embodiments of the present invention, protective layer 3510may have a height 3517 that is the same as, substantially the same as,or greater than the height of the top of LEE 230 above substrate 2510,identified as 3515 in FIG. 35A, e.g., to protect LEEs 230 from beingdamaged. In various embodiments of the present invention, height 3517 ofprotective layer 3510 may be at least equal to the height 3515 of LEE230, or height 3517 of protective layer 3510 may be about 1.5 timesheight 3415 of LEE 230, or height 3517 of protective layer 3510 may beabout 2 times height 3515 of LEE 230.

FIG. 35B shows a cross-section of an exemplary lighting panel includingprotective layer 3510 having openings 3550 that are sufficiently largeto expose LEEs 230 and sound-absorbing material 2610 through apertures2031 in substrate 2510.

FIG. 35C shows a cross-section of an exemplary lighting panel similar tothat described in reference to FIG. 35A; however, protective layer 3510in FIG. 35C incorporates a sloped sidewall 3560 around LEEs 230 tominimize possible shadowing or blockage of light emitted by LEEs 230 byprotective layer 3510. While sloped wall 3560 is shown as a linearlysloped wall this is not a limitation of the present invention, and inother embodiments other slopes, for example a curved slope or a steppedslope, may be utilized. In various embodiments, the slope angle of wall3560 may be different from a slope angle of the perimeter of apertures2031. For example, the apertures 2031 may be surrounded by substantiallyvertical sidewalls; such sidewalls may enhance sound absorption by theunderlying sound-absorbing material by not spuriously reflecting soundimpinging upon the lighting panel and/or by maximizing the exposed areaof any underlying sound-absorbing material.

FIGS. 35D and 35E show isometric views of an exemplary lighting panelsimilar to that described in reference to FIG. 31A, but includingprotective layer 3510. FIG. 35E shows a magnified view of the encircledregion 3580 in FIG. 35D. Protective layer 3510 having openings 3540 forLEEs 230 and openings 3550 that expose both LEEs 230 and sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 through apertures 2031 in substrate 2510. In the exampleshown in FIGS. 35D and 35E both openings 3540 and 3550 have slopedsidewalls 3560 as described herein.

In various embodiments, protective layer 3510 may include, consistessentially of, or consist of a polymer, metal, glass, phenolic,fiberglass, or the like. In various embodiments protective layer 3510may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a vacuum-formed orthermoformed plastic layer. In various embodiments, protective layer3510 may include, consist essentially of, or consist of acrylic,thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene, ABS, or the like. The materialof construction of protective layer 3510 is not a limitation of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIGS. 35A-35E, protective layer 3510 has a top surface 3520.As discussed with reference to FIGS. 34A-34C, light emitted by LEEs 230may also reflect from surface 3520 and/or the surface of sloped region3560. Thus, surface 3520 and/or the surface of sloped region 3560 mayrepresent another set of surfaces that are exposed directly orindirectly to light emitted by LEEs 230, and the color and/or intensityof light that reflects off of surface 3520 and/or the surface of slopedregion 3560 is desirably the same or substantially the same as the colorand/or intensity of light that reflects off of other surfaces within theoptical cavity. Thus, the reflectance and/or color of such surfaces maybe matched to that of one or more other surfaces of the lighting panelas detailed above.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the absolute value ofthe Yellowness difference between surfaces to be controlled asdetermined by ΔYI may be less than about 5, less than about 3, less thanabout 1.5, or less than about 0.75. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, the difference in the average reflectance values ofsurfaces 3410 and 3420 may be less than about ±20% or less than about±10%, or less than about ±5% or less than about ±2% or less than ±1%.

In various embodiments of the present invention, all or a portion ofsurface 3410 of sound-absorption material 2610 may be colored and/orcoated to match (as described herein) the color and/or reflectivity ofsurface 3520 of protective layer 3510. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, such coloring may be incorporated intosound-absorbing material 2610 itself; however, this is not a limitationof the present invention and in other embodiments such coloring may beimplemented using a layer disposed over or on sound-absorbing material2610. In various embodiments, such a layer may include, consistessentially of, or consist of an ink, a paint, a dye or the like. Invarious embodiments, such a layer may include, consist essentially of,or consist of a separate layer overlaid on or adhered to surface 3410,for example a fabric, a polymer or the like. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, the layer may easily permit the transmission ofsound therethrough, for example such a layer may have a soundtransmission percentage of at least 50%, or at least 75% or at least85%. In various embodiments, such a layer may be the same or similar tothe material used in a fabric diffuser, for example as discussed inreference to FIG. 34C; that is, the same fabric or material used fordiffuser 1240 may be utilized to cover at least the exposed areas ofsound-absorbing material 2610.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the surface ofprotective layer 3510 may be colored and/or coated to have a white colorand a relatively high reflectivity. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, the surface of protective layer 3510 may have a YIbetween about −5 and about 5, or between about −2.5 and about 2.5, orbetween about −1 and about 1, or between about −0.5 and 0.5. In variousembodiments of the present invention, the surface of protective layer3510 may have a reflectivity greater than about 30%, or greater thanabout 50%, or greater than about 75%. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, the surface of protective layer 3510 may have aCIELAB L* value of at least 50, or at least 75, or at least 85.

FIG. 35F depicts multiple lighting panels 3570 stacked on top of eachother, for example as might be arranged in a box for shipping. As shownin FIG. 35F, protective layer 3510 prevents the overlyingsound-absorbing material 2610 from touching or damaging LEEs 230,permitting cost-effective packaging without the requirement ofadditional protective layers between lighting panels.

FIG. 36A shows a lighting system 3600 similar to that described inreference to FIG. 21F but incorporating sound-absorbing material 2610.In various embodiments of the present invention, spacing 2180 may be inthe range of about 0.5 to about 5 times, or in the range of about 1 toabout 2 times the spacing or pitch of LEEs on light panel 2010. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, spacing 2180 may be in therange of about 5 mm to about 500 mm, or in the range of about 10 mm toabout 100 mm. In various embodiments of the present invention, optic2185 may include, consist essentially of or consist of a lens, adiffuser, a refractive optic, a reflective optic, a Fresnel optic, afabric, a translucent material such as plastic or stone, a graphicpanel, a membrane or the like.

FIG. 36B depicts an exemplary lighting system 3602 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, although alternative systems withsimilar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.Lighting system 3602 includes a frame 3210, diffuser 1240, a perforatedback panel 3231, substrate 2510, LEEs 230 and sound-absorbing material1640. While sound-absorbing material 1640 is shown in FIG. 36B as havinga size or extent smaller than perforated back panel 3231, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments perforatedback panel 3231 may have a size or extent the same or substantially thesame size or extent or a larger size or extent as perforated back panel3231.

In various embodiments of the present invention, lighting systems may bemounted in various configurations, for example suspended from a surface,mounted directly on a surface, spaced apart from a surface, recessedinto a surface or the like. The mounting configuration is not alimitation of the present invention.

FIG. 36C depicts an exemplary lighting system 3602 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, which is mounted in a suspendedmounting configuration, although alternative systems with similarfunctionality are also within the scope of the invention. Lightingsystem 3602 is suspended from a mounting surface 3610 by one or moremounting elements 3620. In various embodiments of the present invention,mounting surface 3610 may include a ceiling, mounting elements in, on,or attached to the ceiling, for example frames or frame portions (suchas Unitstrut products, available from Unistrut of Harvey, Ill.), orother similar mounting surfaces. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, mounting elements 3620 may include, consist essentially of,or consist of cable, aircraft cable, threaded rods, rods, or the like.In various embodiments of the present invention, mounting elements 3620may be flexible or rigid. In various embodiments, a distance 3625 fromthe back of luminaire 3602 to mounting surface 3610 may be in the rangeof about 100 mm to about 10 m, or in the range of about 200 mm to about3 m; however, the distance 3625 is not a limitation of the presentinvention.

FIG. 36D depicts an exemplary lighting system 3602 in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, which is mounted in a spaced-apartmounting configuration, although alternative systems with similarfunctionality are also within the scope of the invention. Lightingsystem 3602 is spaced apart from mounting surface 3610 by one or moremounting elements 3630. In various embodiments of the present invention,mounting surface 3610 may include a ceiling, mounting elements in, on orattached to the ceiling, for example frames or frame portions (such asUnitstrut products, available from Unistrut of Harvey, Ill.), or othersimilar mounting surfaces. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, mounting elements 3630 may include, consist essentially of,or consist of threaded rods, rods, posts, or the like. In variousembodiments of the present invention, mounting elements 3630 may beflexible or rigid. In various embodiments, a distance 3635 from the backof sound-absorbing material 1640 to mounting surface 3610 may be in therange of about zero (0) mm to about 500 mm, or in the range of about 20mm to about 250 mm; however, the distance 3635 is not a limitation ofthe present invention. In various embodiments, a distance 3637 from theback of luminaire 3602 to mounting surface 3610 may be in the range ofabout zero (0) mm to about 500 mm, or in the range of about 50 mm toabout 250 mm; however, the distance 3637 is not a limitation of thepresent invention.

In various embodiments of the present invention, diffuser or optic 2185may have an acoustic transmittance of at least about 25%, or at leastabout 50%, or at least about 75%. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, diffuser or optic 2185 may allow a certain amount of thesound incident on the diffuser or optic to transmit through the optic,for example so that it may be absorbed or partially absorbed bysound-absorbing material 2610. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, diffuser or optic 2815 may have an acoustic absorption of atleast about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, or at leastabout 40%. In various embodiments of the present invention, diffuser oroptic 2185 may have multiple holes or perforations to allow an increasedamount of sound to transmit through the diffuser or optic, for exampleso that it may be absorbed or partially absorbed by sound-absorbingmaterial 2610. In various embodiments of the present invention, thesound absorption, sound reflection, and/or sound transmission may beevaluated over the human hearing range, for example from about 20 Hz toabout 20 kHz, or in the range from about 100 Hz to about 15 kHz;however, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments other frequency ranges may be utilized.

In various embodiments, sound-absorbing material 2610 may include,consist essentially of, or consist of at least one of fiberglass, foam(e.g., sound-absorbing foam), cellulose, mineral wool, mineral fiber,fleece (e.g., acoustic fleece), acoustic ceiling tile, polyester,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or fiberglass foam or other materials.

FIGS. 37A and 37B depict an exemplary lighting panel 3700 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.FIG. 37B shows a cross-section of the structure of FIG. 37A throughcut-line H-H′. In various embodiments, lighting panel 3700 includes,consists essentially of, or consists of one or more substrates 3710, anarray of LEEs 230, and one or more slots or cut-out regions 3731 thatform an open region within substrate 3710; in other words, a slot orcut-out region has a periphery that is partially but not completelybounded by substrate 3710, as opposed to an aperture which is completelybounded by substrate 3710. While FIG. 37A shows slots or cut-out regions3731 as rectangles, in other embodiments cut-out regions 3731 may haveother shapes, for example squares, circles or any arbitrary shape. Theshape of cut-out regions 3731 is not a limitation of the presentinvention. In various embodiments, all cut-out regions 3731 may have thesame size and shape, while in other embodiments lighting panel 3700 mayinclude cut-out regions with different shapes and/or sizes. As shown inFIG. 37A, single cut-out region 3731 may be positioned between rows ofLEEs 230 such that, across each portion of lighting panel 3700, only asingle cut-out region 3731 extends across the width of lighting panel3700, however this is not a limitation of the present invention and inother embodiments cut-out regions 3731 may be positioned in any wayrelative to LEEs 230.

Cut-out regions 3731, like apertures 2031 as discussed in reference toFIGS. 25A and 25B, are positioned in non-electrically active portions ofthe light panel; that is, they do not interfere with nor do the edges ofcut-out regions 3731 cut through the electrical circuitry of thelighting panel material nor is any edge of cut-out regions 3731electrically coupled to the electrical circuit powering and/orcontrolling LEEs 230. For example, in various embodiments of the presentinvention, substrate 3710 may include electrical components such as LEEs230 and CEs 240 as well as conductive traces or electrical connectionssuch as conductive traces 260 and power conductors 210 and 220 asdescribed in reference to FIG. 2A, and cut-out regions 3731 arepositioned such that they do not cut through or encompass any conductivetrace 260 or any power conductor 210, 220 or any LEEs 230, CEs 240 orany other circuitry. Still, as shown in FIG. 37A, in various embodimentsone or more cut-out regions 3731 may intersect one or more edges of thesubstrate.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the electrical circuitfor a lighting system may include, consist essentially of, or consist ofmultiple light-emitting strings 250, each end of each light-emittingstring electrically coupled to a power conductor 210, 220 to providepower to energize the the light-emitting string, as described inreference to FIG. 2A. As described in reference to FIG. 2A, eachlight-emitting string may include multiple LEEs 230 electrically coupledin series by conductive elements 260 and one or more optional CEs 240.

FIG. 37C shows an exemplary schematic of electrical routing on alighting panel incorporating a cut-out region in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, although alternative systems withsimilar functionality are also within the scope of the invention. FIG.37C shows a portion of a substrate 3703 including, consistingessentially of, or consisting of four (4) “fingers” 3713, i.e.,protrusions separated by cut-outs; however, the number of fingers is nota limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentssubstrate 3703 may have fewer than four or more than four fingers 3713.While FIG. 37C shows all fingers or protrusions 3713 having the sameshape and size, this is not a limitation of the present invention, andin other embodiments different fingers or protrusions may have differentsizes and/or different shapes (and or have different numbers of LEEsthereon).

In various embodiments of the present invention, a light-emitting stringmay occupy one (1) finger, two (2) fingers or more than two (2) fingersof substrate 3703. FIG. 37C shows a portion of lighting panel 3703 inwhich each light-emitting string occupies one (1) finger. As shown inFIG. 37C, each light-emitting string includes, consists essentially of,or consists of multiple LEEs 230 electrically coupled in series byconductive traces 3740, optional CE 240 electrically coupled in serieswith LEEs 230, and each end of the light-emitting string electricallycoupled to one of power conductors 210, 220.

In various embodiments of the present invention, lighting panels 3703may include electrical connectors that are electrically coupled to powerconductors on the lighting panel and/or substrate to provide powerand/or control signals to energize and/or control the LEEs. In variousembodiments of the present invention, such connectors may include aplug-and-jack system, for example in the horizontal, vertical, or otherorientation, insulation displacement connectors (IDCs), poke-inconnectors combined with jumper wires, and/or jumper cables. In variousembodiments of the present invention, connectors on lighting system 3703may be electrically coupled to power conductors 2120 and 2130 to providepower from power supply 2170 to the lighting panels, as describedherein. In various embodiments of the present invention, power may besupplied on a power bus or by a cable or separate wires.

In various embodiments of the present invention, power conductors 210,220 may be oriented parallel to each other along the length of thepanel, perpendicular to the fingers; however, this is not a limitationof the present invention, and in other embodiments power conductors 210,220 may be oriented or laid out in any geometry. In various embodimentsof the present invention, one or more electrical cross-overs 3743 may beutilized to couple a portion of a conductive trace 3740 to a powerconductor, for example as shown in FIG. 37C for conductive trace 3740electrically coupling to conductive trace 220 through cross-over 3743.In various embodiments of the present invention, a cross-over 3743 mayinclude, consist essentially of, or consist of a zero-ohm resistor(i.e., a resistor having negligible resistance); however, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments cross-over3743 may include, consist essentially of, or consist of an additionallayer of conductive material in or on substrate 3710 that iselectrically isolated from the power conductor or other means ofcrossing an electrical conductor without electrically coupling to it. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, cross-overs 3743 may alsobe used in other parts of the circuit, for example as part of conductivetrace 3740.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the spacing or pitch3755 between LEEs in a horizontal direction may be the same between allLEEs 230; however, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments LEEs 230 may have non-uniform spacing. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, the spacing or pitch 3750between LEEs in a vertical direction may be the same between all LEEs230 (and may or may not be equal to spacing 3755); however, this is nota limitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments LEEs 230may have non-uniform spacing.

FIG. 37D shows a portion of lighting panel 3703 in which eachlight-emitting string occupies two (2) fingers. As shown in FIG. 37D,power conductors 210 and/or 220 may have different shapes to accommodateor provide room for additional conductive traces within one string thatspan more than one finger. The LEEs in each string in FIG. 37D areconnected in series along two different fingers, and each stringcontains one optional CE 240. That is, in various embodiments, CEs 240may be present in only some fingers but not all of them.

FIGS. 38A and 38B depict an exemplary acoustic lighting panel 3800 inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention, althoughalternative systems with similar functionality are also within the scopeof the invention. FIG. 38B shows a cross-section of the structure ofFIG. 38A through cut-line I-I′. Acoustic lighting panel 3800 is similarto lighting panel 3700 described in reference to FIGS. 37A and 37B butwith the addition of sound-absorbing material 2610. As shown in FIG.38B, sound-absorbing material 2610 is positioned on the back ofsubstrate 3710, i.e., it is on the side opposite LEEs 230; however, thisis not a limitation of the present invention and in other embodimentssound-absorbing material may be positioned on the front of substrate3710, that is on the same side as LEEs 230, or may be positioned on boththe front and back sides of substrate 3710. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, cut-out regions 3731 permit sound to pass throughsubstrate 3701 and impinge on sound-absorbing material 2610, where allor a portion of the sound may be absorbed. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, acoustic lighting panel 3800 may be used to bothprovide illumination and to provide a reduction in the noise or soundlevel in the environment in which the light panel is installed.

In various embodiments, the surface of sound-absorbing material 2610 mayhave approximately the same size and shape as that of the substrate 3710(i.e., without considering the cut-out regions 3731 through thesubstrate); however, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments sound-absorbing material 2610 may have adifferent shape and size than substrate 3710. That is, the outerperimeter of the sound-absorbing material 2610 may substantially conformto the outer dimensions of substrate 3710, for example as shown in FIG.38A; i.e., the outer perimeter of the sound-absorbing material mayconform to the outer perimeter of the substrate 2510 ±25 mm, ±10 mm, or±1 mm, notwithstanding portions of the outer perimeter of substrate 2510that may be absent due to presence of the cut-out regions 3731.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the amount ofsound-absorbing material 2610 may be minimized to positions in theapertures or cut-out regions or substantially in the aperture or cut-outregions. That is, the sound-absorbing material 2610 may be absent, orpresent with a smaller thickness, behind portions of the acousticlighting panel between the apertures or cut-out regions. In variousembodiments of the present invention, sound-absorbing material 2610 maybe positioned behind apertures or cut-out regions, for example as shownin FIG. 38C. In various embodiments of the present invention,sound-absorbing material 2610 may protrude through apertures or cut-outregions, for example as shown in FIG. 38D. In FIG. 38D, sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 protrudes through cut-out region 3731, and the surface ofsound-absorbing material 2610 is coplanar or substantially coplanar withthe surface of substrate 3710. However, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments the surface ofsound-absorbing material 2610 may be below the surface of substrate 3710or protrude above the surface of substrate 3710, as shown in FIG. 38Dfor sound-absorbing material 2610′.

In various embodiments of the present invention, an additional supportpanel may utilized at the back of the sound-absorbing material, that ison the opposite side of the sound-absorbing material as substrate 3710.For example, FIG. 38D shows support panel 3830 positioned behindsound-absorbing material 2610 and 2610′. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, support panel 3830 may be attached to thesound-absorbing material (or vice versa), for example using screws,rivets or other fasteners, or with tape, adhesive, glue or the like. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, support panel 3830 may beutilized to support and/or position multiple portions of thesound-absorbing material, for example multiple portions ofnon-contiguous portions of the sound-absorbing material. Thus, the useof a support panel enables, in various embodiments, the use of multiplenon-contiguous pieces or sections of sound-absorbing material with acommon underlying platform. In various embodiments, the support panel3830 may itself define one or more apertures or cut-outs therethrough toexpose portions of the sound-absorbing material from the back side. Insuch embodiments, sound reflecting off of various surfaces toward theback surface of the support panel may be more readily absorbed by thesound-absorbing material through the apertures or cut-outs defined inthe support panel.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the sound-absorbingmaterial may be attached to substrate 3710, for example using mechanicalfasteners such as screws, rivets and the like, adhesive, glue, tape orby other means.

In embodiments in which sound-absorbing material 2610 is disposed on thefront side of substrate 3710, the sound-absorbing material 3710 mayitself define apertures or cut-out regions therethrough in order tofacilitate emission of light from the LEEs 230 into the space. Forexample, single apertures or cut-out regions may be defined over singleLEEs 230, multiple LEES 230, or even one or more strings of LEEs 230.Despite such absent portions of the sound-absorbing material 2610,embodiments of the invention will still exhibit favorablesound-absorbing properties. In various embodiments, an overlyingsound-absorbing material 2610 may have solid portions that overlap, oreven entirely cover, one or more of the cut-out regions 3731 defined insubstrate 2510. Thus, in such embodiments, the effective thickness (andthus sound-absorbing capability) of the sound-absorbing materialdisposed between LEEs is increased when compared to embodiments in whichsound-absorbing material 2610 is disposed only beneath substrate 3710.In embodiments in which apertures or cut-out regions are defined in anoverlying sound-absorbing material 2610 such apertures may be disposedover one or more LEEs, and at least portions of the interior surfaces ofsuch apertures may be diffusely or specularly reflective to lightemitted by the LEEs. For example, at least portions of the interiorsurfaces of such apertures may be coated with a reflective coating.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the quantity, shape,size, and position of the cut-out regions may be modified to achieve aparticular NRC value or to achieve as high as NRC value as possible. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, the NRC value of theacoustic lighting panel is proportional or substantially proportional tothe exposed area of sound-absorbing material 2610. For example, consideran acoustic lighting panel having a total surface area of value P andtotal cut-out region area A′. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, NRC (acoustic lighting panel) is equal to or approximatelyequal to NRC (sound-absorbing material)×(A′/P). Examination of thisrelationship indicates that increasing the ratio of total aperture areato light panel area (A′/P) will increase the NRC of the acousticlighting panel. In various embodiments of the present invention, theratio of total cut-out region area to acoustic light panel area (A′/P)may be greater than about 0.25, greater than about 0.5, greater thanabout 0.7, or greater than about 0.8. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, the substrate design may be optimized to maximize theratio of total cut-out region area to acoustic light panel area (A′/P).In various embodiments of the present invention, increasing ormaximizing the cut-out region area and/or the A′/P ratio is performedwith the constraint that the cut-out region does not interfere with theelectrically active portions of the light panel or the electricalcircuitry on the light panel. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, cut-out region 3731 may be configured to occupy all of thearea of lighting panel 3700 or substrate 3710 to within an aperturesetback 3815 of LEEs 230 (and/or rows, columns, and/or strings thereof),other electronic components, circuitry, and/or the edges of the lightingpanel. Referring to FIG. 38A, cut-out region 3731 has aperture setback2615 around LEEs 230. In various embodiments of the present invention,aperture setback 2615 may be less than about 25 mm, or less than about15 mm, or less than about 5 mm, or less than about 2.5 mm.

In various embodiments of the present invention, sound-absorptionmaterial 2610 may have a thickness in the range of 0.5 inch to about 3inches; however, this is not a limitation of the present invention, andin other embodiments the thickness of sound absorption material 2610 maybe less than 0.5 inch or greater than 3 inches. In various embodimentsof the present invention, a lighting panel may have a NRC value greaterthan about 0.2, greater than about 0.5, or greater than about 0.7. Invarious embodiments the NRC value may be less than about 1.

In various embodiments, two or more acoustic lighting panels may betiled together, i.e., placed adjacent to each other and/orinterconnected together. FIGS. 39A and 39B show exemplary plan view andcross-sectional views, respectively, of four acoustic lighting panelsthat are tiled together to form lighting system 3900. FIG. 39B shows across-section of the structure of FIG. 39A through cut-line J-J′.

In various embodiments of the present invention, acoustic lightingpanels are tiled so that, when connected together, or when installed,the spacing or pitch between adjacent LEEs 230 is the same orsubstantially the same on one acoustic light panel as it is across theinterface between adjacent acoustic light panels, as described herein.As discussed in reference to FIG. 2B, in various embodiments of thepresent invention LEEs 230 may be positioned in a periodic array, forexample a substantially square or rectangular array, where LEEs 230 areseparated by pitch (or “spacing”) 223 in the one direction and by pitch225 in an orthogonal or substantially orthogonal direction. Referring toFIG. 39A, in various embodiments of the present invention, acousticlighting panels with sound-absorbing material 2610 may be tiled so thatpitch 225 between adjacent LEEs 230 on one acoustic lighting panel isthe same as or substantially the same as pitch 225′ between adjacentLEEs 230 on adjacent acoustic lighting panels and pitch 223 betweenadjacent LEEs 230 on one acoustic lighting panel is the same as orsubstantially the same as pitch 223′ between adjacent LEEs 230 onadjacent acoustic lighting panels.

In various embodiments of the present invention, acoustic lightingpanels 3800 may include electrical connectors that are electricallycoupled to power conductors on the lighting panel and/or substrate toprovide power and/or control signals to energize and/or control theLEEs. In various embodiments of the present invention, connectors onacoustic lighting panels 3800, 3800′, 3800″, and 3800′″ may beelectrically coupled to provide one set of connections for all acousticlighting panels of lighting system 3900. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, such connectors may include a plug-and-jack system,for example in the horizontal, vertical, or other orientation,insulation displacement connectors (IDC), poke-in connectors combinedwith jumper wires and/or jumper cables. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, connectors on lighting system 3900 may beelectrically coupled to power conductors 2120 and 2130 to provide powerfrom power supply 2170 to the lighting panels, as described herein. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, power may be supplied on apower bus, for example 2111 as shown in FIG. 39A or by a cable orseparate wires.

In various embodiments of the present invention, an acoustic light panelmay be overlaid or covered with an overlying optic, diffuser ortranslucent panel, and/or graphic panel as discussed in reference toFIG. 34C to soften or eliminate the image of individual LEEs 230 and/orto provide a homogeneous color and/or brightness over the entire area ofthe diffuser. Light emitted by LEEs 230 may reflect of off the diffuseror other surfaces within the optical cavity (for example the regionbetween the diffuser and the acoustic lighting panel) and furtherreflect off of the acoustic lighting panel before being emitted into theexterior environment. In various embodiments of the present invention,such an optic or diffuser may permit at least about 10% or at leastabout 30% or at least about 60% of the sound incident on the optic ordiffuser to transmit through the diffuser, for example so that it may beabsorbed or partially absorbed by sound-absorbing material 2610. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, the diffuser may include,consist essentially of, or consist of a fabric having an acoustictransmittance of at least about 25%, or at least about 50%. In variousembodiments of the present invention, the diffuser may include, consistessentially of, or consist of a fabric having an acoustic absorption ofat least about 10%, or at least about 20%, or at least about 30%. Invarious embodiments of the present invention the sound absorption, soundreflection, and/or sound transmission may be evaluated over the humanhearing range, for example from about 20 Hz to about 20 kHz, or in therange from about 100 Hz to about 15 kHz; however, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments otherfrequency ranges may be utilized.

While acoustic lighting panel 3800 has a rectangular shape, this is nota limitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments lightingpanels may have other shapes and/or configurations. FIG. 40A depicts anexemplary acoustic lighting panel 4000 in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention, although alternative systems with similarfunctionality are also within the scope of the invention. Acousticlighting panel 4000 is an example of a differently shaped acousticlighting panel, having rounded corners and a notch 4010. Substrate 3710of lighting panel 4000 includes both cut-out regions 3731 and apertures2031. The shape of acoustic lighting panel 4000 shown in FIG. 40A is nota limitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments acousticlighting panels may have any shape and/or size and/or configuration ofone or more substrates 3710, each of which may have no apertures and/orcut-out regions or may have one or more apertures and/or one or cut-outregions or only apertures or only cut-out regions.

FIG. 39C shows a schematic of a portion of two acoustic lighting panels3910 and 3910′ in accordance with embodiments of the present invention,although alternative systems with similar functionality are also withinthe scope of the invention. Acoustic lighting panel 3910 includes,consists essentially of or consists of multiple lighting panels 3703 andsound-absorbing material 2610. While FIG. 39C shows acoustic lightingpanel 3910 having four (4) lighting panels 3703, this is not alimitation of the present invention, and in other embodiments acousticlighting panel 3910 may have any number of lighting panels 3703.

As shown in FIG. 38B or FIG. 38C, sound-absorbing material 2610 ispositioned on the back of substrate 3710, i.e., it is on the sideopposite LEEs 230; however, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments sound-absorbing material may bepositioned on the front of substrate 3710, that is on the same side asLEEs 230, or may be positioned on both the front and back sides ofsubstrate 3710. In various embodiments of the present invention, cut-outregions 3731 permit sound to pass through the light panel and impinge onsound-absorbing material 2610, where all or a portion of the sound maybe absorbed. In various embodiments of the present invention, acousticlighting panel 3910 may be used to both provide illumination and toprovide a reduction in the noise or sound level in the environment inwhich the acoustic lighting panel is installed.

In various embodiments of the present invention, lighting panels on oneacoustic lighting panel are tiled so that, when connected together, orwhen installed, the spacing or pitch between adjacent LEEs 230 is thesame or substantially the same on one light panel as it is across theinterface between adjacent light panels, as described herein. Asdiscussed in reference to FIG. 2B, in various embodiments of the presentinvention LEEs 230 may be positioned in a periodic array, for example asubstantially square or rectangular array, where LEEs 230 are separatedby pitch (or “spacing”) 3755 in the one direction and by pitch 3750 inan orthogonal or substantially orthogonal direction. Referring to FIG.39C, in various embodiments of the present invention, lighting panels3703 may be tiled so that pitch 3750 between adjacent LEEs 230 on onelighting panel is the same as or substantially the same as pitch 225′between adjacent LEEs 230 on adjacent lighting panels and pitch 3755between adjacent LEEs 230 on one lighting panel is the same as orsubstantially the same as pitch 223′ between adjacent LEEs 230 onadjacent lighting panels. FIG. 39A also depicts similar arrangements oflighting panels and resulting pitch between adjacent LEEs.

In various embodiments of the present invention, lighting panels on oneacoustic lighting panel are tiled so that, when connected together, orwhen installed, the spacing or pitch between adjacent LEEs 230 is thesame or substantially the same on one acoustic light panel as it isacross the interface between adjacent acoustic light panels. Asdiscussed in reference to FIG. 2B, in various embodiments of the presentinvention LEEs 230 may be positioned in a periodic array, for example asubstantially square or rectangular array, where LEEs 230 are separatedby pitch (or “spacing”) 223 in the one direction and by pitch 225 in anorthogonal or substantially orthogonal direction. Referring to FIG. 39C,in various embodiments of the present invention, acoustic lightingpanels may be tiled so that pitch 3755 and/or 223′ between adjacent LEEs230 on one acoustic lighting panel is the same as or substantially thesame as pitch 3904 between adjacent LEEs 230 on adjacent lighting panelsand the pitch between adjacent LEEs 230 on one acoustic lighting panel(not identified in FIG. 39C for clarity of the figure) is the same as orsubstantially the same as pitch 3750 and/or 225′ between adjacent LEEs230 on adjacent lighting panels.

In various embodiments of the present invention, acoustic lightingpanels 3910 may include electrical connectors that are electricallycoupled to power conductors on the lighting panel and/or substrate toprovide power and/or control signals to energize and/or control theLEEs. In various embodiments of the present invention, connectors onmultiple lighting panels may be electrically coupled to provide one setof connections for all lighting panels of acoustic lighting panel 3910.In various embodiments of the present invention, such connectors mayinclude a plug-and-jack system, for example in the horizontal, vertical,or other orientation, insulation displacement connectors (IDC), poke-inconnectors combined with jumper wires and/or jumper cables. In variousembodiments of the present invention, connectors on lighting system 3910may be electrically coupled to power conductors 3762 and 3760 to providepower and or control signals from one or more power supplies and/orcontrol systems to the lighting panels, as described herein. In variousembodiments of the present invention, power may be supplied on a powerbus, for example 2111 as shown in FIG. 39A or by a cable or separatewires.

FIG. 39D shows an expanded view of a portion of acoustic lighting panel3910 showing electrical coupling of four lighting panels 3703 inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention, althoughalternative systems with similar functionality are also within the scopeof the invention. As shown in FIG. 39D, each lighting panel 3703includes connectors 3760, 3762, where all of the connectors 3760 areelectrically coupled together by conductors 3780, and all of theconnectors 3762 are electrically coupled together by conductors 3782. Invarious embodiments of the present invention conductors 3780 and 3782may be a wire, multiple wires, connectorized wires, insulated wires,cables, conductive traces, or the like. The nature of conductors 3780and 3782 is not a limitation of the present invention. In variousembodiments of the present invention, connectors 3760, 3762 are IDCconnectors and conductors 3780 and 3782 are wires.

In various embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable tocouple power to the lighting panel or acoustic lighting panel from theback side of the panel. In various embodiments of the present invention,one or more holes may be formed through acoustic lighting panel 3903,for example through sound-absorbing material 2610 and/or through thesubstrate, to provide a pathway for wires or other conductive elementsto pass from the front side of the panel to the back. FIG. 39D shows aschematic of a portion of acoustic lighting panel 3900 having a hole3766 through the panel and conductors 3780 and 3782 passing from thefront of the panel through hole 3766 to the back of the panel. At theback of the panel, the conductors 3780, 3782 may be electrically coupledto a source of power and/or control; however, this is not a limitationof the present invention, and in other embodiments conductors 3780, 2782may be unterminated (i.e., left as flying leads) or may terminate in aconnector. In various embodiments of the present invention, flying leadsor a connector may be electrically coupled with additional length orlengths of cabling or wiring, which may subsequently be electricallycoupled to a source of power and/or control, for example to permit easydisconnection and removal of the acoustic lighting panel from theluminaire or lighting system or to provide for remote mounting of thepower and/or control system, that is to provide for mounting of thepower and/or control system separate from the acoustic lighting panel orthe luminaire.

While FIG. 39D shows all lighting panels electrically coupled togetherthis is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments lighting panels may be divided into multiple electricallycoupled groups to allow for separate power and/or control of theindividual electrically coupled groups.

In various embodiments, an acoustic lighting panel may include more thanone substrate 3710. FIG. 39E shows an exemplary schematic of an acousticlighting panel having four substrates that are tiled together to form anacoustic lighting panel 3911. Referring to FIG. 39E, in variousembodiments of the present invention, acoustic lighting panel 3911 mayinclude sound-absorbing material 2610 and one or more substrates 3710which may be electrically coupled together to provide one electricalconnection point for all substrates 3710. While FIG. 39 shows acousticlighting panel 3911 with four substrates 3710, this is not a limitationof the present invention and in other embodiments acoustic lightingpanel 3911 may include fewer than four or more than four substrates3710. As shown in FIG. 39E, substrates 3710 include fingers orprotrusions 3713 forming cut-out or slot regions 3731 exposing theunderlying sound-absorbing material or panel 2610. In variousembodiments of the present invention, the area of cut-out or slotregions 3731 may be maximized to achieve a higher or maximal soundabsorbing capacity or NRC for the acoustic lighting panel. In variousembodiments, the area of fingers or protrusions 3713 may be minimized tomaximize the area of cut-out or slot regions 3731.

In various embodiments of the present invention, substrates are tiled sothat, when connected together, or when installed, the spacing or pitchbetween adjacent LEEs 230 is the same or substantially the same on onesubstrate as it is across the interface between adjacent substrates, asdescribed herein. As discussed in reference to FIG. 2B, in variousembodiments of the present invention LEEs 230 may be positioned in aperiodic array, for example a substantially square or rectangular array,where LEEs 230 are separated by pitch (or “spacing”) 223 in the onedirection and by pitch 225 in an orthogonal or substantially orthogonaldirection. In various embodiments of the present invention, substrates3710 may be tiled so that pitch 225 between adjacent LEEs 230 on onesubstrate is the same as or substantially the same as pitch 225′ betweenadjacent LEEs 230 on adjacent substrates and pitch 223 between adjacentLEEs 230 on one substrate is the same as or substantially the same aspitch 223′ between adjacent LEEs 230 on adjacent substrates.

In various embodiments of the present invention, acoustic lightingpanels are tiled so that, when connected together, or when installed,the spacing or pitch between adjacent LEEs 230 is the same orsubstantially the same on one acoustic light panel as it is across theinterface between adjacent acoustic light panels, and the same as thespacing or pitch between adjacent LEEs 230 on one substrate as it isacross the interface between adjacent substrates, as described herein.

FIG. 39F shows an exemplary cross-sectional schematic of a portion of anacoustic lighting panel in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention, although alternative systems with similar functionality arealso within the scope of the invention. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, an acoustic lighting panel may include a rigid orrelatively rigid sound-absorbing panel 2610 and a clip 3930 configuredto mechanically clamp or fasten all or a portion of substrate 3710 tosound-absorbing material 2610. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, clip 3930 may be installed by mechanically positioning itover the end of sound-absorbing panel 2610 and the end of substrate3710. While FIG. 39F shows clip 3930 clamping the fingers of thesubstrate, this is not a limitation of the present invention and inother embodiments clip 3930 may be used to clamp or fasten otherportions of substrate 3710 to sound-absorbing material 2610. In variousembodiments of the present invention, clip 3930 may be used inconjunction with other means of fastening or attaching substrate 3710 tosound-absorbing panel 2610, for example screws, rivets, adhesive, tape,double-sided tape or the like. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, clip 3930 may permit faster and/or simpler assembly of anacoustic lighting panel, for example as compared to other means such asscrews or rivets.

In various embodiments of the present invention substrate 3710 mayinclude one or more mounting holes that may be used to attach substrate3710 to sound-absorbing material 2610. FIG. 39G shows an exemplarycross-sectional schematic of a portion of an acoustic lighting panel inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention, althoughalternative systems with similar functionality are also within the scopeof the invention. In various embodiments of the present invention,substrate 3710 may incorporate one or more through-holes 3940 that maybe used in conjunction with a fastener 3950 to mechanically clamp orfasten all or a portion of substrate 3710 to sound-absorbing material2610. In various embodiments of the present invention, fastener 3950 mayinclude two parts, for example a pin or screw or bolt 3952 and a clip ornut 3954; however, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments fastener 3950 may include only one part or mayinclude more than two parts and/or may have different configurationsthan described in reference to FIG. 39G. For example, in variousembodiments of the present invention fastener 3950 may include one partthat incorporates one or more barbs that are inserted throughthrough-hole 3950 and are embedded into and mechanically fastened tosound absorbing material 2610.

FIG. 39H shows an expanded view of a portion of acoustic lighting panel3911 showing electrical coupling of four substrates 3710 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.Dashed lines 3941 and 3942 show the interface lines between substrates3710, 3710′, 3710″, and 3710′″. As shown in FIG. 39H, and with referencealso to FIG. 37D, each substrate 3710 includes connectors 3760, 3762,where all of the connectors 3760 (which couple for example to powerconductor 210 on the substrates) are electrically coupled together byconductors 3780, and all of the connectors 3762 (which couple forexample to power conductor 220 on the substrates) are electricallycoupled together by conductors 3782, thereby electrically connecting allsubstrates in parallel. In various embodiments of the present invention,conductors 3780 and 3782 may be a wire, multiple wires, connectorizedwires, insulated wires, cables, conductive traces, or the like. Thenature of conductors 3780 and 3782 is not a limitation of the presentinvention. In various embodiments of the present invention, connectors3760, 3762 are insulation displacement type (IDC) connectors andconductors 3780 and 3782 are insulated solid or stranded wires. Theconfiguration of connectors 3760, 3762 is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and connectors 3760, 2762 may have otherconfigurations, such as board to board, board to wire, plug and jack orthe like. In various embodiments of the present invention, it may bedesirable to couple power to the lighting panel or acoustic lightingpanel from the back side of the panel. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, one or more holes may be formed through acousticlighting panel 3911, for example through sound-absorbing material 2610and/or through the substrate, to provide a pathway for wires or otherconductive elements to pass from the front side of the panel to theback. FIG. 39H shows a schematic of a portion of acoustic lighting panel3911 having a hole 3766 through the panel, and conductors 3780 and 3782passing from the front of the panel through hole 3766 to the back of thepanel. At the back of the panel, the conductors 3780, 3782 may beelectrically coupled to a source of power and/or control; however, thisis not a limitation of the present invention, and in other embodimentsconductors 3780, 2782 may be unterminated (i.e., left as flying leads)or may terminate in a connector. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, flying leads or a connector may be electrically coupled withadditional length or lengths of cabling or wiring, which maysubsequently be electrically coupled to a source of power and/orcontrol, for example to permit easy disconnection and removal of theacoustic lighting panel from the luminaire or lighting system or toprovide for remote mounting of the power and/or control system, that isto provide for mounting of the power and/or control system separate fromthe acoustic lighting panel or the luminaire.

In various embodiments of the present invention, lighting panels inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention may include one ormore strain reliefs for the wiring or conductors associated with thelighting panel. In various embodiments of the present invention, one ormore strain reliefs may be applied to or attached to conductors 3780,3782. In various embodiments of the present invention, conductors 3780,3782 may be coupled or joined into a single cable, for example cable3946 as shown in FIG. 39H. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, one or more strain reliefs may be applied or attached to asingle cable. In various embodiments of the present invention a strainrelief may include a means to attach or fix a conductor or cable toanother material such that the conductor or cable are not detached fromthe strain relief by forces that might be applied to the conductor orcable during reasonable and customary use. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, one or more strain reliefs may be attached or fixedto a substrate 3710 and/or to the sound-absorbing material. The use ofstrain reliefs is well known in the art and the present invention is notlimited by the type of strain relief.

FIG. 39I shows a schematic drawing of a strain relief 3960 that clampsonto cable 3961 and is anchored in panel 3962, for example asmanufactured by Heyco, N.J., United States. Referring to FIG. 39I,strain relief 3960 is crimped around cable 3961 and pushed through hole3964 in panel 3962. FIG. 39J shows a schematic of a strain relief 3066that clamps the cable by crimping the cable when nut 3967 is tightened.FIG. 39K shows strain relief 3970 that includes mount 3972 and cable tie3974 that clamps cables 3976 in place on one side of panel 3962; in thisembodiment cables 3976 do not extend through the panel 3962.

While FIG. 39H shows all lighting panels electrically coupled togetherthis is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments lighting panels may be divided into multiple electricallycoupled groups to allow for separate power and/or control of theindividual electrically coupled groups. While FIG. 39H shows eachsubstrate 3710 having two connectors 3760, 3762 this is not a limitationof the present invention, and in other embodiments each substrate 3710may have fewer than two or more than two connectors. For example asubstrate 3710 may have multiple electrically coupled connectors 3760and/or multiple electrically coupled connectors 3762 to permit multipleconnection pathways between different substrates 3710.

FIG. 40A depicts an exemplary acoustic lighting panel 4000 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.Acoustic lighting panel 4000 is an example of an acoustic lighting panelincorporating a cut-out region 4010 in the acoustic lighting panel aswell as a substrate 3710 that incorporates both cut-out regions 3731 andslots 2031 to expose underlying sound absorbing material 2610. Acousticlighting panel cut-out region 4010 may be used to accommodate variousfeatures in the environment in which acoustic lighting panel 4000 is tobe installed, for example a support or structural beam, an HVAC duct orregister, or the like. While cut-out region 4010 has a rectangular orsubstantially rectangular region, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments cut-out region 4010 may haveany shape. While FIG. 40A shows acoustic lighting panel 4000 having onepanel cut-out region 4010, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments an acoustic lighting panel may havemore than one panel cut-out region 4010. Note that conductive traces,connectors, optional control elements and other items are not shown inFIG. 40A for clarity.

FIG. 40B depicts an exemplary acoustic lighting panel 4002 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.Acoustic lighting panel 4002 is an example of an acoustic lighting panelincorporating multiple substrates 4020, in which substrates 4020 do nothave an aperture or a cut-out region. Rather, the individual substrates4020 are individually mounted on a shared sound-absorbing material 2610.In lighting system 4002 and other similar exemplary lighting panels,sound may be absorbed by sound-absorbing material 2610 that is exposedbetween substrates 4020. Note that conductive traces, optional controlelements and other items are not shown in FIG. 40B for clarity.

In various embodiments of the present invention, each substrate 4020 mayinclude one or more electrical connectors, for example electricalconnectors 3760 and 3762. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, all substrates 4020 may be electrically coupled together, forexample through conductors 3780 and 3782 as shown in FIG. 40B to providepower and/or control signals to each substrate 4020 from one or morepower supplies and/or control systems that may be electrically coupledto conductors 3780, 3782, as described herein.

In various embodiments of the present invention, substrates 4020 may notall be electrically coupled together. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, one or more substrates 4020 may be electricallycoupled to separate power and/or control systems, for example to permitseparate control of one or more optical characteristics of each of thesubstrates 4020, for example luminous flux, intensity, color point, CCT,CRI, or the like.

While FIG. 40B shows all substrates 4020 having the same shape and size,this is not a limitation of the present invention and in otherembodiments different substrates, for example substrates 4020, may havedifferent sizes and/or shapes (and/or have different numbers of LEEsthereon).

FIG. 40C depicts an exemplary acoustic lighting panel 4004 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.Acoustic lighting panel 4004 is an example of a circular acousticlighting panel incorporating multiple substrates 4020, in whichsubstrates 4020 do not have an aperture or a cut-out region. Rather, theindividual substrates 4020 are individually mounted on a sharedsound-absorbing material 2610. In lighting system 4004 and other similarexemplary lighting panels, sound may be absorbed by sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 that is exposed between substrates 4020.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the spacing betweenLEEs 230 on adjacent strips/substrates, for example spacing 225 and225′, may be the same and the same as the spacing 223 between LEEs oneach strip; however, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments spacing 223 on one or more substrates 4020 maybe the same or different. In other embodiments, the spacing between LEEson adjacent substrates 402 may be the same or different, for examplespacing 225 may be equal to spacing 225′ or spacing 225 may be differentfrom spacing 225′.

FIG. 40C shows an example of an acoustic lighting panel in whichsubstrates 4020 are not all electrically coupled together. In variousembodiments of the present invention, each substrate 4020 may includeone or more electrical connectors, for example electrical connectors3760 and 3762. In various embodiments of the present invention, two ormore (or even all) substrates 402 may be electrically coupled in groups,for example one group through conductors 3780 and 3782 and a secondgroup through conductors 3780′ and 3782′, as shown in FIG. 40B toprovide power and/or control signals to each substrate group from one ormore power supplies and/or control systems that may be electricallycoupled to conductors 3780, 3782 and 3780′, 3782′, as described herein.While FIG. 40C shows two groups of electrically coupled substrates 4020this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments substrates 4020 may have any number of electrically coupledgroups.

FIG. 40D depicts an exemplary acoustic lighting panel 4006 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.Acoustic lighting panel 4006 is an example of a circular acousticlighting panel incorporating multiple substrates 4020, in whichsubstrates 4020 do not have an aperture or a cut-out region. In acousticlighting system 4006 and other similar exemplary acoustic lightingpanels, sound may be absorbed by sound-absorbing material 2610 that isexposed between substrates 4020. Note that conductive traces, optionalcontrol elements and other items are not shown in FIG. 40D for clarity.

Referring to FIG. 40C, in acoustic lighting system 4040, LEEs 230 arealigned or substantially aligned between multiple substrates 4020, asshown by alignment line 4040; however, this is not a limitation of thepresent invention, and in other embodiments LEEs 230 may not be alignedbetween multiple substrates 4020, as shown by alignment line 4041 inFIG. 40D.

FIG. 40E depicts an exemplary acoustic lighting panel 4008 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.Acoustic lighting panel 4008 is an example of a circular acousticlighting panel incorporating multiple substrates 4020, in whichsubstrates 4020 do not have an aperture or a cut-out region. Acousticlighting panel 4008 incorporates a region in the center that is notpopulated with substrates with LEEs. Region 4050 is shown as a circle inFIG. 40E; however, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments region may be a square, rectangle, triangle,hexagon or any other shape. While FIG. 40E shows acoustic lighting panel4008 as having one region 4050, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments acoustic lighting panels may havemore than one region 4050. In acoustic lighting system 4008 and othersimilar exemplary acoustic panels, sound may be absorbed bysound-absorbing material 2610 that is exposed between substrates 4020.In various embodiments of the present invention, sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 may fill (or underlie) all, or a portion of, or none ofregion 4050. In various embodiments of the present invention, region4050 may be used for a variety of purposes, for example to accommodate asprinkler head or fire-suppression system, heating, vacuum and airconditioning duct, cameras, sensors, mechanical supports for thelighting panel or associated lighting system, or the like. Note thatconductive traces, connectors, optional control elements and other itemsare not shown in FIG. 40E for clarity.

While not shown in FIGS. 40A-40E, in various embodiments of the presentinvention multiple substrates may be electrically coupled on theacoustic lighting panel, resulting in a fewer number of electricalconnections to the lighting panel than the number of substrates 3710 or4020.

FIG. 40F depicts an exemplary acoustic lighting panel 4009 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention, although alternative systemswith similar functionality are also within the scope of the invention.Acoustic lighting panel 4009 includes substrates 4020 around theperiphery of acoustic lighting panel 4009, leaving region 4055 withoutsubstrates 4020 and thus without illumination sources in region 4055. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, region 4055 may be filledor populated with sound-absorbing material 2610, i.e., sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 may underlie all or a portion of region 4055. However,this is not a limitation of the present invention, and in otherembodiments region 4055 may be partially populated with sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 or may not include any sound-absorbing material 2610. Notethat conductive traces, connectors, optional control elements and otheritems are not shown in FIG. 40F for clarity.

FIGS. 40G and 40H depict exemplary lighting systems in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, although alternative systems withsimilar functionality are also within the scope of the invention. FIG.40G shows a cross-section of a lighting system incorporating acousticlighting panel 4009 through cut-line K-K′. The lighting system of FIG.40G includes side panels 4050 and back panel 4060 that partially,completely, or substantially completely covers (i.e., surround andunderlie) sound-absorbing material 2610. In various embodiments of thepresent invention, back panel 4060 may have a relatively low soundtransmittance, for example less than about 10% or less than about 5% orless than about 1%; however, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments back panel 4060 may have arelatively high sound transmittance, for example greater than about 10%or greater than about 25% or greater than about 50%.

FIG. 40H depicts a cross-section of a lighting system incorporatingacoustic lighting panel 4009 through cut-line K-K′ and side panels 4051in which sound-absorbing material 2610 is exposed on the back of thelighting systems or itself forms the back of the lighting system. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, the lighting system ofFIG. 40H may have a higher ability to absorb noise relative to thelighting system of FIG. 40G, as sound may be absorbed by sound-absorbingmaterial 2610 from the front of the lighting system, through diffuser4020, as well as directly by sound-absorbing material 2610 from the backof the lighting system.

FIG. 40I depicts exemplary lighting systems in accordance withembodiments of the present invention, although alternative systems withsimilar functionality are also within the scope of the invention. FIG.40I depicts a cross-section of a lighting system that is suspended bycables, rods or wires, or the like, as identified as 4082, from asurface 4080. In various embodiments of the present invention, surface4080 may be a ceiling; however, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention, and in other embodiments surface 4080 may includesub-ceiling, mounting platform, or other regions. Referring to FIG. 40I,sound or noise 4070 and 4071 may be incident on the front of thelighting system (in the case of sound or noise 4070) or may be incidenton surface 4080 (in the case of sound or noise 4071). In variousembodiments of the present invention, sound or noise 4070 may transmitpartially or completely through diffuser 4020 and may be partially orcompletely absorbed by sound-absorption material 2610, while sound ornoise 4071 may partially or completely reflect off of surface 4080 andmay be partially or completely absorbed by sound-absorption material2610, thus increasing the ability to absorb sound compared to a lightingsystem in which the back of sound-absorbing material 2610 is notexposed, for example as described in reference to FIG. 40G.

While a number of the examples described herein include or consistessentially of one or more flexible light sheets and one or more frameelements, this is not a limitation and in other embodiments frameelements may be eliminated, resulting in light panels including orconsisting essentially of one or more flexible light sheets with noframe elements.

While a number of the examples described herein utilize aconstant-voltage drive system for powering one or more light sheets orlight panels, this is not a limitation of the present invention, and inother embodiments other modes of energizing one or more light sheets orlight panels may be utilized, for example constant-current or AC driveor other modes. In some embodiments of the present invention, the modeof powering the light sheets or light panels may determine the type,number, or need for current control elements on each light sheet orlight panel. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention,no current control elements may be required on the light panel or lightsheet, for example if using a constant-current drive mode.

While a number of examples presented herein utilize 9V batteryconnectors for connectorized panels (i.e., panels having one or moreconnectors), this is not a limitation of the present invention and inother embodiments other types of connectors may be utilized. Forexample, such connectors may include commercially available plug andjack or male and female connectors, polarized or unpolarized connectors,or connectors which on one or more ends are connected to a light sheetor light panel by wires.

As utilized herein, the term “light-emitting element” (LEE) refers toany device that emits electromagnetic radiation within a wavelengthregime of interest, for example, visible, infrared or ultravioletregime, when activated, by applying a potential difference across thedevice or passing a current through the device. Examples oflight-emitting elements include solid-state, organic, polymer,phosphor-coated or high-flux LEDs, laser diodes or other similar devicesas would be readily understood. The emitted radiation of an LEE may bevisible, such as red, blue or green, or invisible, such as infrared orultraviolet. An LEE may produce radiation of a continuous ordiscontinuous spread of wavelengths. An LEE may feature a phosphorescentor fluorescent material, also known as a light-conversion material (or awavelength-conversion material, or a phosphor), for converting a portionof its emissions from one set of wavelengths to another. In someembodiments, the light from an LEE includes or consists essentially of acombination of light directly emitted by the LEE and light emitted by anadjacent or surrounding light-conversion material. An LEE may includemultiple LEEs, each emitting essentially the same or differentwavelengths. In some embodiments, a LEE is an LED that may feature areflector over all or a portion of its surface upon which electricalcontacts are positioned. The reflector may also be formed over all or aportion of the contacts themselves. In some embodiments, the contactsare themselves reflective. Herein “reflective” is defined as having areflectivity greater than 65% for a wavelength of light emitted by theLEE on which the contacts are disposed. In some embodiments, an LEE mayinclude or consist essentially of an electronic device or circuit or apassive device or circuit. In some embodiments, an LEE includes orconsists essentially of multiple devices, for example an LED and a Zenerdiode for static-electricity protection. In some embodiments, an LEE mayinclude or consist essentially of a packaged LED, i.e., a bare LED dieencased or partially encased in a package. In some embodiments, thepackaged LED may also include a light-conversion material. In someembodiments, the light from the LEE may include or consist essentiallyof light emitted only by the light-conversion material, while in otherembodiments the light from the LEE may include or consist essentially ofa combination of light emitted from an LED and from the light-conversionmaterial. In some embodiments, the light from the LEE may include orconsist essentially of light emitted only by an LED.

One or more non-LEE devices such as Zener diodes, transient voltagesuppressors (TVSs), varistors, etc., may be placed on each light sheetto protect the LEEs 230 from damage that may be caused by high-voltageevents, such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) or lightning strikes. Inone embodiment, conductive trace segments shown in FIG. 2B between theLEE strings 250 may be used for placement of a single protection deviceper light sheet, where the device spans the positive and negative powertraces, for example power conductors 210, 220. These trace segments alsoserve to provide a uniform visual pattern of lines in the web direction,which may be more aesthetically pleasing than a light sheet withnoticeable gaps between LEE strings 250. In a more general sense, inaddition to conductive traces 260 that are part of string 250,additional conductive traces 260 that may or may not be electricallycoupled to other strings 250 and/or power conductors 210, 220 may beformed on substrate 265, for example to provide additional powerconduction pathways or to achieve a decorative or aesthetically pleasinglook to the pattern on the light sheet or to provide a communicationpathway to one or more CEs 240, for example to provide a control signalto the one or more CEs 240. These trace segments also serve to provide auniform visual pattern of lines in the web direction, which may be moreaesthetically pleasing than a light sheet with noticeable gaps betweenLEE strings 250.

In one embodiment, an LEE 230 includes or consists essentially of a baresemiconductor die (such as an LED), while in other embodiments LEE 230includes or consists essentially of a packaged LED.

In some embodiments, LEE 230 may include or consist essentially of a“white die” that includes an LED that is integrated with alight-conversion material (e.g., a phosphor) before being attached tothe light sheet, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/748,864, filed Jan. 24, 2013, or U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/949,543, filed Jul. 24, 2013, the entire disclosure of each of whichis incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, LEEs 230 may emit light in a relatively smallwavelength range, for example having a full width at half maximum in therange of about 20 nm to about 200 nm. In some embodiments, all LEEs 230may emit light of the same or substantially the same wavelength, whilein other embodiments different LEEs 230 may emit light of differentwavelengths. In some embodiments LEEs 230 may emit white light, forexample that is perceived as white light by the eye. In someembodiments, the white light may be visible light with a spectral powerdistribution the chromaticity of which is close to the blackbody locusin the CIE 1931 xy or similar color space. In some embodiments, whitelight has a color temperature in the range of about 2000 K to about10,000 K. The emission wavelength, full width at half maximum (FWHM) ofthe emitted light or radiation or other optical characteristics of LEEs230 may not be all the same and are not a limitation of the presentinvention.

In various embodiments, substrate 265 and/or the power bus substrate mayinclude or consist essentially of a semicrystalline or amorphousmaterial, e.g., polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyester,polyimide, polyethylene, fiberglass, FR4, metal core printed circuitboard, (MCPCB), and/or paper. Substrate 265 may include multiple layers,e.g., a deformable layer over a rigid layer, for example, asemicrystalline or amorphous material, e.g., PEN, PET, polycarbonate,polyethersulfone, polyester, polyimide, polyethylene, and/or paperformed over a rigid substrate for example comprising, acrylic, aluminum,steel and the like. Depending upon the desired application for whichembodiments of the invention are utilized, substrate 265 may besubstantially optically transparent, translucent, or opaque. Forexample, substrate 265 may exhibit a transmittance or a reflectivitygreater than 70% for optical wavelengths ranging between approximately400 nm and approximately 700 nm. In some embodiments substrate 265 mayexhibit a transmittance or a reflectivity of greater than 70% for one ormore wavelengths emitted by LEE 230. Substrate 265 may also besubstantially insulating, and may have an electrical resistivity greaterthan approximately 100 ohm-cm, greater than approximately 1×10⁶ ohm-cm,or even greater than approximately 1×10¹⁰ ohm-cm. In some embodimentssubstrate 265 may have a thickness in the range of about 10 μm to about500 μm.

In various embodiments, conductive elements, e.g., power conductors 210,220 and conductive traces 260, and/or power conductors 2120 and 2130,may be formed via conventional deposition, photolithography, and etchingprocesses, plating processes, lamination, lamination and patterning,evaporation sputtering or the like or may be formed using a variety ofdifferent printing processes. For example, power conductors 210, 220 andconductive traces 260, and/or power conductors 2120 and 2130, may beformed via screen printing, flexographic printing, ink-jet printing,and/or gravure printing. Power conductors 210, 220 and conductive traces260, and/or power conductors 2120 and 2130, may include or consistessentially of a conductive material (e.g., an ink or a metal, metalfilm or other conductive materials or the like), which may include oneor more elements such as silver, gold, aluminum, chromium, copper,and/or carbon. Power conductors 210, 220 and conductive traces 260,and/or power conductors 2120 and 2130, may have a thickness in the rangeof about 50 nm to about 1000 μm. In some embodiments, the thickness ofpower conductors 210, 220 and conductive traces 260 may be determined bythe current to be carried thereby. While the thickness of one or more ofpower conductors 210, 220 and conductive traces 260, and/or powerconductors 2120 and 2130, may vary, the thickness is generallysubstantially uniform along the length of the trace to simplifyprocessing. However, this is not a limitation of the present invention,and in other embodiments the thickness and/or material of powerconductors 210, 220 and conductive traces 260, and/or power conductors2120 and 2130, may vary. In some embodiments, all or a portion of powerconductors 210, 220 and conductive traces 260, and/or power conductors2120 and 2130, may be covered or encapsulated. In some embodiments, alayer of material, for example insulating material, may be formed overall or a portion of power conductors 210, 220 and conductive traces 260,and/or power conductors 2120 and 2130. Such a material may include,e.g., a sheet of material such as used for substrate 265, a printedlayer, for example using screen, ink jet, stencil or other printingmeans, a laminated layer, or the like. Such a printed layer may include,for example, an ink, a plastic and oxide, or the like. The coveringmaterial and/or the method by which it is applied is not a limitation ofthe present invention.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the substrate andconductive traces may have a thickness less than about 5 mm or less thanabout 2 mm or less than about 1 mm.

In various embodiments, the conductive traces 260 are formed with a gapbetween adjacent conductive traces 260, and LEEs 130 and CEs 240 areelectrically coupled to conductive traces 260 using conductive adhesive,e.g., an isotropically conductive adhesive and/or an ACA. ACAs may beutilized with or without stud bumps and embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited by the particular mode of operation of theACA. For example, the ACA may utilize a magnetic field rather thanpressure (e.g., the ZTACH ACA available from SunRay Scientific of Mt.Laurel, N.J., for which a magnetic field is applied during curing inorder to align magnetic conductive particles to form electricallyconductive “columns” in the desired conduction direction). Furthermore,various embodiments utilize one or more other electrically conductiveadhesives, e.g., isotropically conductive adhesives, non-conductiveadhesives, in addition to or instead of one or more ACAs. In otherembodiments, LEEs 230 and CEs 240 may be attached to and/or electricallycoupled to conductive traces 260 by other means, for example solder,reflow solder, wave solder, wire bonding, or the like. The method bywhich LEEs 230 and CEs 240 are attached to conductive traces 260 is nota limitation of the present invention.

CE 240 may be one component or multiple active and/or passivecomponents. In one embodiment, power conductors 210, 220 provide a DCvoltage or substantially DC voltage and CE 240 includes or consistsessentially of a resistor, e.g. a current-limiting resistor. The choiceof the resistance value may be a trade-off between a number ofparameters and characteristics that may include, e.g., efficiency andcurrent stability. In general, a larger resistance will result inreduced efficiency but greater current stability, while a smallerresistance will result in increased efficiency but reduced currentstability. Variations in the current may result from variations in theinput voltage (for example across power conductors 210, 220), variationsin forward voltage of the LEEs 230 within the string, variations in thevalue of the current-limiting resistor, variations in current that mayoccur if one or more LEEs 230 in the string become short-circuited orthe like. In the case of CE 240 including or consisting essentially of aresistor, in some embodiments CE 240 is a discrete resistor formedwithin or on conductive traces 260, such as a chip resistor, a bare-dieresistor or surface mount device (SMD) resistor.

As discussed above, in embodiments where CE 240 includes or consistsessentially of a resistor, there may be trade-offs between efficiencyand current stability. While such trade-offs may be acceptable incertain products, other products may require relatively better currentstability at higher efficiencies, and in these cases CE 240 may includeor consist essentially of multiple components or a circuit element, asdiscussed above. In some embodiments CE 240 includes or consistsessentially of a field-effect transistor (FET) and a resistor. Inanother embodiment CE 240 includes or consists essentially of twobipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and two resistors.

In general, the efficiency and current stability increase with thenumber of components, as does the cost. In some embodiments where a CE240 includes or consists essentially of multiple components, thecomponents may be in discrete form (i.e., each component individuallyelectrically coupled to conductive traces 260) or in hybrid form (wheremultiple separate components are mounted on a submount, which is thenelectrically coupled to conductive traces 260), or in monolithic form(where multiple components are integrated on a semiconductor chip, forexample a silicon-based or other semiconductor-based integratedcircuit). In some embodiments, CEs 240 may be in bare-die form, while inother embodiments CEs 240 may be packaged or potted or the like. In someembodiments, a CE 240 may include or consist essentially of a bare-dieintegrated circuit. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit includesor consists essentially of multiple active and/or passive devices thatare fabricated on a common semiconductor substrate.

In other embodiments, power conductors 210, 220 may provide AC power, orpower modulated at different frequencies and in these embodiments CEs240 may be selected accordingly or may be omitted. In one embodiment,power conductors 210, 220 may provide a standard line voltage, forexample about 120 VAC or about 240 VAC or about 277 VAC, for example atabout 50 Hz or about 60 Hz. In some embodiments, CEs 240 may accommodatea plurality of input types, and thus be so-called “universal” CEs 240,while in other embodiments different CEs 240 may be required fordifferent input types. The actual component or components of CEs 240 arenot limiting to this invention; however, in preferred embodiments ofthis invention, the positioning of CEs 240 does not disrupt the LEEpitch. In another embodiment of this invention, the positioning of CEs240 is independent of LEE pitch. As discussed herein, CEs 240 and LEEs230 may be electrically coupled to conductive traces 260 using a varietyof means, for example solder, conductive adhesive or ACA; however, themethod of electrical coupling of CEs 140 and LEEs 230 is not alimitation of the present invention.

The terms and expressions employed herein are used as terms andexpressions of description and not of limitation, and there is nointention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding anyequivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. Inaddition, having described certain embodiments of the invention, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodimentsincorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as onlyillustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. An acoustic lighting system comprising: a rigidsupport panel having first and second opposing surfaces; disposed overthe first surface of the support panel, a light panel comprising (i) asubstrate having one or more apertures or cut-out regions definedtherein and (ii) a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed overthe substrate; and disposed between the support panel and the lightpanel, a plurality of sections of a sound-absorbing material having gapstherebetween, at least some of the sections being exposed through theone or more apertures or cut-out regions in the light-panel.
 2. Theacoustic lighting system of claim 1, further comprising, extending fromthe second surface of the support panel, means for suspending thelighting system from a wall or ceiling.
 3. The acoustic lighting systemof claim 1, further comprising an optic disposed over the light panel.4. The acoustic lighting system of claim 3, wherein the optic comprisesat least one of a lens, an optical diffuser, a refractive optic, areflective optic, a Fresnel optic, a fabric, a polymer, stone, or agraphic panel.
 5. The acoustic lighting system of claim 3, wherein theoptic comprises an optical diffuser.
 6. The acoustic lighting system ofclaim 5, wherein the optical diffuser has an optical transmissivitygreater than 25% for a wavelength of light emitted by at least some ofthe light-emitting elements.
 7. The acoustic lighting system of claim 5,wherein (i) the light-emitting elements are spaced apart at a firstpitch, (ii) the optical diffuser is spaced apart from the light-emittingelements by a first spacing and (iii) the first spacing is greater thanthe first pitch.
 8. The acoustic lighting system of claim 1, wherein thesupport panel defines one or more apertures therethrough to exposesound-absorbing material via the second surface of the support panel. 9.The acoustic lighting system of claim 1, wherein each section of thesound-absorbing material comprises at least one of fiberglass,sound-absorbing foam, mineral wool, mineral fiber, acoustic fleece,polyester, polyester felt, polyethylene terephthalate, acoustic ceilingtile, or fiberglass foam.
 10. The acoustic lighting system of claim 1,wherein each section of the sound-absorbing material is a multi-layerstructure comprising at least one rigid layer and at least one layerthat is flexible and/or soft.
 11. The acoustic lighting system of claim1, wherein the substrate is disposed on and in direct mechanical contactwith the sections of the sound-absorbing material.
 12. The acousticlighting system of claim 1, wherein the light panel is attached to thesections of the sound-absorbing material with at least one of anadhesive or a plurality of mechanical fasteners.
 13. The acousticlighting system of claim 1, wherein (i) the substrate has a firstsurface and a second surface opposite the first surface, (ii) eachsection of the sound-absorbing material has a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface, (iii) the second surface of thesubstrate faces the first surfaces of the sections of thesound-absorbing material, (iv) the first surface of the substrate has afirst CIELAB color value of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁, (v) the first surfaces of thesections of the sound-absorbing material have a second CIELAB colorvalue of L*₂, a*₂, b*₂, and (vi) a difference ΔE* between the first andsecond CIELAB color values is less than
 6. 14. The acoustic lightingsystem of claim 1, wherein (i) the substrate has a first surface and asecond surface opposite the first surface, (ii) each section of thesound-absorbing material has a first surface and a second surfaceopposite the first surface, (iii) the second surface of the substratefaces the first surfaces of the sections of the sound-absorbingmaterial, (iv) the first surface of the substrate has a firstreflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by the light-emittingelements, (v) the first surfaces of the sections of the sound-absorbingmaterial have a second reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted bythe light-emitting elements, and (vi) the first and secondreflectivities are equal to each other ±20%.
 15. The acoustic lightingsystem of claim 1, further comprising a protective panel disposed overthe light panel and defining therein a plurality of first apertures anda plurality of second apertures, wherein: the first apertures arepositioned to allow light emitted from the light-emitting elements topass through the first apertures, and the second apertures at leastpartially overlap with the one or more apertures or cut-out regions inthe light panel.
 16. The acoustic lighting system of claim 15, whereinthe protective panel comprises at least one of plastic, foam, orsound-absorbing material.
 17. The acoustic lighting system of claim 15,wherein (i) the substrate has a first surface and a second surfaceopposite the first surface, (ii) the protective panel has a firstsurface and a second surface opposite the first surface, (iii) the firstsurface of the substrate faces the second surface of the protectivepanel, (iv) the first surface of the substrate has a first CIELAB colorvalue of L*₁, a*₁, b*₁, (v) the first surface of the protective panelhas a second CIELAB color value of L*₂, a*₂, b*₂, and (vi) a differenceΔF* between the first and second CIELAB color values is less than
 6. 18.The acoustic lighting system of claim 15, wherein (i) the substrate hasa first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, (ii)the protective panel has a first surface and a second surface oppositethe first surface, (iii) the first surface of the substrate faces thesecond surface of the protective panel, (iv) the first surface of thesubstrate has a first reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted bythe light-emitting elements, (v) the first surface of the protectivepanel has a second reflectivity to a wavelength of light emitted by thelight-emitting elements, and (vi) the first and second reflectivitiesare equal to each other ±20%.
 19. The acoustic lighting system of claim1, wherein the light panel comprises first and second power conductorsconfigured to provide power to the plurality of light-emitting elements.20. The acoustic lighting system of claim 19, wherein the light-emittingelements are electrically configured as a plurality of light-emittingstrings each comprising a plurality of series-connected light-emittingelements.
 21. An acoustic lighting system comprising: a rigidsound-absorbing material having first and second opposing surfaces; anda first light panel disposed over the first surface of thesound-absorbing material, the first light panel comprising (i) asubstrate and (ii) a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed overthe substrate, wherein: the first light panel comprises (i) a firstelongated portion extending in a first direction, (ii) first and secondpower conductors extending over the substrate in the first elongatedportion, and (iii) a plurality of second elongated portions extendingfrom the first elongated portion in a second direction different fromthe first direction, each second elongated portion comprises a pluralityof light-emitting elements thereon, power being supplied to saidlight-emitting elements by the first and second power conductors, andthe second elongated portions are separated by gaps therebetween suchthat the sound-absorbing material is exposed through the gaps betweenthe second elongated portions.
 22. The acoustic lighting system of claim21, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to thesecond direction.
 23. The acoustic lighting system of claim 21, whereineach light-emitting string is disposed on a different second elongatedportion.